2 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Dear Students,
Engineering Career Services (ECS) is committed to helping you with your career
search success. Whether you are just beginning to explore different career interests or
are looking for a full-time opportunity, the ECS team is here to assist. We offer work-
shops and individual advising as well as plan and coordinate corporate events to help
you network with company representatives. We also manage the on-campus recruiting
system, I-Link, where you’ll find access to companies for job shadows, internships and
full time jobs.
We are pleased to present you with the 2015-16 Career Resource Guide. This guide
was prepared with the help of the entire Career Services advising team and many of our
corporate partners whose generous financial contributions enabled us to create and print
this guide. While the guide covers a wide range of career related topics, we encourage
you to meet with a career counselor as early as your first year to explore your interests
and different career paths.
Use information in this career guide to get general career search guidance such as:
• Setting career goals
• Understanding the career search process
• Constructing résumés and cover letters
• Learning about I-Link, career fairs and interviews
• Evaluating offers of employment
• Securing internship and full time job opportunities
• Networking
Remember, employers recruit Illinois Engineering students because students consis-
tently meet their high expectations for academic and professional preparation. Your
academic classes will prepare you for the technical skills needed in the workplace.
Having these skills is not enough, however, to be selected for interviews. To be hired,
you need to actively pursue career-building opportunities, leverage your personal
network, and interact with potential employers in multiple settings. Take advantage of
the many opportunities offered by ECS to engage employers throughout your time at
Illinois, beginning with your first semester on campus. We look forward to working with
you to help you secure the career opportunity you desire.
Best wishes,
Amy Fruehling
Director, Engineering Career Services
Letter From the Director
Letter From the Director ......................................2
Welcome to Engineering Career Services
.........................4
2015-2016 Campus Events
....................................6
ECS Services & Career Resources ...............................6
I-Link ....................................................7
I-Link Users Guide ...........................................8
Your Four-Year Timeline for Career Success
......................14
Personal Branding..........................................15
What Employers Seek in Student Job Applicants
..................16
Résumé Guidelines .........................................17
Résumé Action Verbs
.......................................18
Résumé Template ..........................................19
Sample Résumés...........................................20
Cover Letter Guidelines......................................23
Sample Cover Letters
.......................................24
Transferable Skills
.........................................26
Elevator Pitch Essentials .....................................27
Career Fair Success Strategies
................................28
How to Prepare for a Behavioral Interview
.......................29
Tips for a Behavioral-Based Interview...........................30
Sample Behavioral-Based Interview Questions....................33
Preparing for Your Telephone Interview
.........................34
Questions to Ask After the Interview............................34
Email Etiquette
............................................35
Don’t Slurp Your Soup and Other Professional Etiquette Tips
.........37
Tips to Remember During the Site Visit/Interview..................38
Negotiating the Job Offer
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
What Does Your Social Media Profile Say About You?
..............40
Creating a Standout LinkedIn Profile ............................41
Utilizing LinkedIn for Career and Internship Planning................42
Top 5 Job Search Tips for International Students
..................43
Mastering the Hidden Job Market Through Networking
.............45
Why Research Experience Matters for Graduate Study and Your Career
...47
6 Tips to Convert a Summer Internship Into a Full-Time Position
.......48
Opportunities to Get Involved at Illinois..........................49
Starting Your Career? Thinking Small is Okay......................50
College of Engineering Salary Information 2014-2015...............52
Companies Recruiting Through ECS.............................53
Advertiser Index
.........................................60
ECS CAREER
GUIDE
2015-2016
UNIVERSITY
OF
ILLINOIS
AT
URBANA-
CHAMPAIGN
COLLEGE OF
ENGINEERING
tabLe oF contents
4 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
WeLcome to
engineering career services
3270 Digital Computer Lab, MC-270
1304 West Springfield Avenue
Urbana, Illinois 61801
(217) 333-1960
engineering.illinois.edu/ecs
I-Link: engineering.illinois.edu/careers
ECS ADVISING TEAM
Amy Fruehling [email protected]
Director
Lauren Stites
Senior Assistant Director, Advising
Lynnell Lacy
Assistant Director, Advising
Kristina Wright
Assistant Director, Advising
Elaine Goss
Administrative Assistant
ECS Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Walk-in Appointments
12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
6 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
ecs services & career resources
2015-2016 campus events
• Career Advising: Meet with an advisor to discuss your career search and obtain answers to your career-related
questions
• I-Link Career Search Management Tool: Your one-stop-shop for all recruiting activities including job boards,
interview scheduling, and advisor appointments scheduling
• Job Offer Evaluation & Negotiation: Learn to understand and analyze your entire offer and get tips for negotiating
your offer
• Mock Interviews: Improve your interviewing skills for the behavioral-based interview by role-playing with an advisor
• Networking Contacts & Resources: Learn how to develop and utilize your professional network for your career search
and identify career tools designed to help you navigate the search process
• On-Campus Interviewing: Thousands of interviews occur in 3300 DCL and are coordinated by ECS
• Résumé & Cover Letter Reviews: ECS advisors will provide feedback to improve your résumé, cover letter, or other
application materials
• Workshops & Presentations: Learn about interviewing, networking, résumés, cover letters, and more
FaLL 2015
Engineering Recruiting Dates ............Sept 14 - Dec 9
ECS Fall Engineering Career Fair
.............Sept 9 - 10
Business Career Fair
......................Sept 16 - 17
Engineering Employment Expo
..............Sept 21 - 22
Civil/Environmental Career Fair
................ Sept 24
Statistics Career Fair
........................ Sept 28
ACES and Bio-Sciences Career Fair
...............Oct 8
spring 2016
Engineering Recruiting Dates ............ Feb 15 - May 4
Business Career Fair
.........................Feb 3 - 4
ECS Spring Engineering Career Fair
............Feb 9 - 10
Startup Career Fair
...........................Feb 10
Engineering Employment Expo
..................Feb 16
Civil/Environmental Career Fair
.................Feb 25
Illini Center and Internship Fair
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mar 9
Research Park Career Fair
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mar 15
http://engineering.illinois.edu/ecs 7
i-Link
Wh at is i-Link?
I-Link is the career search management tool used for all Illinois
students. Last year, 241 companies used I-Link to arrange 6,151
interviews (intern & full time) for engineering students. It’s the
place to go for all corporate recruiting activities and events across
the college and campus. It’s also where you’ll have access to
career-related workshops, programs, career fairs, and career advi-
sors. Best of all, I-Link is free! Simply claim your account by going
to: ecs.engineering.illinois.edu/i-link to register, or
engineering.Illinois.edu/ecs and use your NETID/password to
login.
• Schedule advising appointments
• Search for and apply for jobs
• Schedule interviews
• View dates for company recruiting activities, workshops,
information sessions, and other career related programs
• Explore companies attending the ECS Career Fair
Use this tab to search for full-time,
internship/co-op, job shadow and
career exploration opportunities.
Update your Profile each
semester and upload
Documents, such as
résumés, cover letters,
and transcripts here.
Click here to schedule
an appointment with
an ECS advisor.
i-Link user agreement
Job seekers agree to:
• present my abilities, qualifications, interests, and credentials honestly and accurately.
• keep all interview appointments. I understand that missing an interview without notifying ECS, even in emergency situations,
can subject me to disciplinary action, including, but not limited to disqualifying me from using I-Link and other services.
• notify employers of my acceptance or rejection of offers as soon as possible.
• honor an accepted offer and discontinue interviewing upon providing verbal or written acceptance. I understand that reneging is
unprofessional and may disqualify me from using I-link and other services provided by ECS.
• accept interviews only with employers that genuinely interest me.
• allow ECS to review or use any documents (e.g., résumés, cover letters) that I post to I-Link.
• allow ECS to disclose documents to employers.
• report all employment (co-op, internship, full-time) to ECS within 14 days of acceptance.
Please visit https://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/about/services/ilink for the complete participant agreement.
home page
8 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
i-Link users guiDe
i-Lin k basics
• Homepage—displays announcements, upcoming career
fairs and special events
• Schedule Advising Appointment—look at menu on
the right of homepage >> Shortcuts >> Request a Career
Advising Appointment
proFiLe
• Personal Information—fill out completely
o Job Search Status—use “Seeking Employment”
to be included in searches by employers seeking
candidates
o Job Location Preference, Job Function
Preference, and Industry Preference—fill out to
customize positions that show up in job searches
• Academic Information
o Degree Level, Major/Concentrations, Graduation
Date, and Work Authorization—automatically
populated, but please verify accuracy
o Work Authorization Countries—list all countries in
which you are legally authorized to work
• Privacy
o Include in Résumé Book—choose “Yes” to be
included—résumé is visible to all employers, allows
employers to search for you and contact you about
openings and other opportunities
o Receive Email Notifications—choose “Yes” to
receive emails from Engineering Career Services
about upcoming events, open positions, and other
career opportunities
Documents
• Upload résumés, cover letter, unofficial transcripts,
portfolio, or any other documents that positions may
require
• Identify one default résumé and cover letter that you can
include in the ECS Résumé Book—this book is visible to
all employers on I-Link, allowing them to search and iden-
tify candidates for their positions
• Come to ECS for a résumé and cover letter review before
uploading them on I-Link
virtua L mock interv ieWs a nD
viDeo upLoaDs
• No time to come in for a face-to-face interview or need to
practice for a video/Skype interview? Use this function
to record a mock interview online and submit it to ECS for
feedback.
• You can also upload videos where you practice a “Tell
me about yourself” introduction that you would give to
employers
ev ents
• Career Fairs—use this tab to register for on-campus or
online career fairs organized by Illinois; this tab is also used
for career development programs requiring student regis-
tration, such as the Consulting Forum and the Biomedical
Engineering Networking Forum
• Engage with Employers—company information
sessions, company site visits, case competitions, off-
campus career fairs and other ways to connect and meet
employers are listed here
• Career Development Programs—workshops, presen-
tations, and panels organized by ECS and other career
services offices to help you in your career development—
many ECS events are often led by or include employers
actively hiring Illinois students
Jobs (see sampLe Jobs scr een on page 10)
• Multiple job boards available; most often used ones: I-Link
Jobs, National Jobs Network, Research Park Job Board and
Going Global
• I-Link Jobs—positions posted by employers who are
targeting Illinois students—this is Illinois’ own job board
for companies and students
• How to Search for Positions on I-Link Jobs
o Basic search—enter keywords in the search box at
the top of the I-Link Jobs page
o Favorite
■
Click on the Star to the left of positions that you
would like to follow up with
■
These positions will now show up under My
Favorites, making it easier for you to locate posi-
tions that you’re interested in
■
Note: these positions will disappear after the
position deadline passes
o Advanced Search (see example on pg. 11)
■
Click on Advanced Search at the top right of
the I-Link Jobs page
■
Show Me = All Jobs & Interviews (recom-
mended to have the broadest search results)
■
Job Function and Industry—select options
that you are interested in (Tip: don’t select too
many options at any one time)
■
Position Type—narrow your search down
by focusing on internships/co-ops or full-time
positions (Career/Research Exploration and
Support—used by companies to list extern-
ships, job shadows, company visits, and case
competitions)
■
More Filters
• Expand search criteria to include Majors/
Concentrations, Degree Level(s), Job End
Date/Résumé Deadline
http://engineering.illinois.edu/ecs 9
i-Link users guiDe con t i n u e d
■
Saved Searches
• To save a search you did and that you
would like to come back to regularly, click
on Saved Searches
• Give your search a title
• Select the frequency with which you
would receive your search results via email
(you can choose “Never”)
• Select whether to receive new results only
• You can always Edit or Delete these
searches
• To call up a saved search, simply click on
the title of the saved search (Remember: If
you search criteria includes a date range
under Job End Date/Résumé Deadline
that has past, your search will not display
results)
• You can save up to 15 searches
■
You do not qualify for this position
• Don’t be discouraged if you see this under
a job posting
• Take a very close look at the job descrip-
tion, responsibilities and eligibility
requirements
• If, after reading the position closely, you
believe that you can perform the expected
job:
o Send an email to ecs@engineering.
illinois.edu explaining why you believe
that you would like to be considered
for this position
o Include your résumé and a cover letter
addressed to the employer
• While ECS cannot make any guarantees, we
will try to reach out to the employer on your
behalf to see if they would consider you
• NOTE: Employers are typically not flexible
with Work Authorization Requirements—if
a position requires U.S. Citizenship or
Permanent Residence, ECS is not able to do
anything (see “Job Search for International
Students” in this guide for further advice)
Click on the star to favorite a position.
Use this field for a simple
keyword search.
Click here to expand
Advanced Search filters.
Job boa rD
10 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
i-Link users guiDe con t i n u e d
Use this field to create
a new Saved Search.
Click here to open Saved
Searches window or to
create a new Saved Search.
Use these options to determine
frequency of email modifications
of Saved Searches.
From your Home page, click here to
view and manage your on-campus
interviews set up through I-Link
Job boa rD
http://engineering.illinois.edu/ecs 11
i-Link users guiDe con t i n u e d
interv ieWs
• Requested Interviews—If you applied to a position
where the employer is conducting an on-campus interview,
your application/request will show up here
• Check this section regularly to find out if you have been
invited to an interview
• If you are invited to an interview, make sure you schedule
your interview as soon as possible because time slots
fill up
• If you are invited to an interview as an Alternate, your
access time to pick a time slot is typically 2-3 days after the
Primary Selects pick their time slots, assuming that time
slots are still available
• Scheduled Interview—if you are scheduled for an inter-
view, make sure you show up for your interview—take
note of time and location since there are multiple locations
on-campus where an employer can conduct interviews
• Applying for interviews while studying abroad—
o Update your default résumé on I-Link to indicate that
you are studying abroad
o Update your default cover letter on I-Link explaining
that you are NOT on campus and are only available to
interview by phone or video/Skype
o If you are invited for an on-campus interview, proceed
with scheduling your on-campus interview
o Immediately contact the recruiter to remind the
recruiter that you are out of the country on a study
abroad program
o Copy a staff member in Engineering Career Services,
[email protected], on all correspondence
with recruiters regarding on-campus interviews for
which you are not on campus
14 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Your Four-Year timeLine For career success
Fr eshmen – ex a mine anD ex pLor e
Explore interests and abilities through academic courses,
campus organizations, volunteer service, and opportunities for
career exploration, such a job shadowing, company site tours, and
experiential learning.
➞ Activate your I-Link Account to learn about and attend
important events.
➞ Begin to build your network web of contacts.
➞ Get to know us! Familiarize yourself with the services and
resources available at ECS.
➞ Make an appointment for a résumé review, assistance
developing your elevator pitch, or mock interview.
➞ Make sure your social media presence is squeaky clean.
➞ Attend job fairs to learn about potential careers within
your major and meet employers.
➞ Apply to jobs and internships.
➞ Participate in the 2016 Winter Break Job Shadow Program.
➞ Attend career fairs (ECS, EXPO, All Campus, Research
Park, etc.)
sophomor es – research a nD expLor e
Build your skills, knowledge and abilities by securing an intern-
ship, conducting undergraduate research, or cooperative learning.
➞ Watch I-Link’s Events section for employer and alumni
information sessions, ECS workshops, Lunch & Learns, and
other career development events.
➞ Identify professional organizations and associations
related to your major or engineering; add to your network
web of contacts.
➞ Gain leadership experience by taking on more responsibili-
ties in your extracurricular activities.
➞ Schedule an appointment with an ECS adviser to develop
your career strategy.
➞ Explore at least three career options related to your major.
➞ Attend job fairs and apply for internship positions or coop-
erative education opportunities.
➞ Schedule a mock interview with an ECS adviser.
➞ Participate in the 2016 Winter Break Job Shadow Program.
➞ Attend career fairs (ECS, EXPO, All Campus, Research
Park, etc.)
Junior s – ma p Your Jour neY
Complete at least five informational interviews for careers in
your areas of interest and decide on an internship for summer.
➞ Participate in seminars, workshops, or other events
offered by ECS to learn about job search strategies such as
networking and improving interviewing skills.
➞ Research career opportunities related to your major and
narrow your areas of interest.
➞ Attend employer and alumni information sessions to
continue to build your network and learn about potential
job opportunities.
➞ Actively participate in professional organizations and
associations related to your major or engineering, and
take on more responsibilities to build your leadership and
management portfolio.
➞ Talk with recent graduates from your major about the job
market, potential employment opportunities, and seek
their advice regarding possible employers.
➞ Meet with an ECS adviser to update your résumé.
➞ Explore at least three career options related to your major.
➞ Attend job fairs, apply for internships or cooperative
learning positions, and secure interviews.
➞ Schedule a mock interview with an ECS adviser.
➞ Obtain an internship or cooperative learning opportunity.
➞ Attend career fairs (ECS, EXPO, All Campus, Research
Park, etc.)
seniors – Job se arch
Research employers and jobs within your specific areas of
interest, interview with polished professionalism, know the value
of your skills and knowledge, and know your worth.
➞ Watch closely the ECS calendar of events and actively
participate in On-Campus Recruiting.
➞ Attend workshops to build interviewing and negotiation
skills.
➞ Create a list of prospective employers, including names
and contact information from companies for which you are
interested in working.
➞ Identify your career-related strengths and skills; identify
those which make you a solid match for the positions to
which you apply.
➞ Meet with an ECS career adviser to have your updated
résumé reviewed and cover letters critiqued.
➞ Search I-Link and the Web for job listings and apply.
➞ Research salary information for previous graduates from
your major.
➞ Interview with employers, evaluate job offers, schedule an
appointment with an ECS adviser for pointers on effective
negotiation, and accept one!
➞ Report offers and acceptances by going to First
Destination Link.
➞ Attend career fairs (ECS, EXPO, All Campus, Research
Park, etc.)
Modified by Lynnell Lacy, ECS Assistant Director, from an article
in the 2014 ECS Guide. Original source material was adapted with
permission from Career Services at Virginia Tech.
http://engineering.illinois.edu/ecs 15
personaL br anDing
E
veryone knows what a brand is. Nike, Disney, McDonalds. But
you might be thinking, what does this have to do with me? If
you are a college student, implementing a personal branding
strategy can give you a tremendous edge in the competitive job
marketplace.
When you interact with people, both online and offline, they’ll
build up an image of who you are over time. Why leave your profes-
sional reputation to chance? You want to be in control of all of
those impressions. We’ll break down the process for building your
brand into a few easy steps.
be authentic
Self-reflection is the first step in identifying a personal brand
that conveys your interests and personality. Think about what you
want to do with your future. Where do you see yourself down the
road? Think about your aspirations. How can you attain these? It is
important that your brand is an accurate portrayal of who you are
from a personality and professional standpoint.
Your brand should not be an idealistic image that you create but
instead should be a representation of what employers can expect
when you are hired. And as your skill sets, interests, experiences,
and goals change, your brand will adapt to your new image. The
best personal brand will be relevant and adaptable to current
trends in your industry throughout your career.
Questions to consiDer:
• What do I enjoy doing? What are my goals?
• How do people benefit by working with me?
• What words do others use to describe me?
Wh at mak es You uniQue?
Students need to distinguish themselves from thousands of
other students also looking for a job. One of the first things to do
when building your brand is to understand what makes you unique;
why are you different from the other students in your major or
from other people in general? Think about your internships, travel
abroad experiences, the languages you speak and any special
projects you’ve done. You can think about volunteer work or special
skills you have and any awards you may have received as well.
What makes you, you? When you figure out how you are unique
and use it to your advantage, you will develop a useful personal
brand that will help make you known in the world.
cr e ate Your onLine proFe ssiona L image
When building a personal brand, not all publicity is good
publicity. Students should spend time considering how others view
them, especially online. Students can establish a professional
online presence by being especially diligent about what they share
on social media websites, including Facebook and Twitter. Experts
recommend that serious applicants maintain relevant and updated
social media profiles, particularly on LinkedIn.
Many employers review a candidate’s social media profile
during the screening process to learn about candidate’s education
and work history, skills, endorsements, recommendations, profes-
sional affiliations and more. Your LinkedIn profile, personal blog
or other social media activities can be powerful personal branding
tools which convey the same information as a résumé, but can
also showcase a much bigger picture of who you are as a profes-
sional. For instance, if you are a bioengineering major with a strong
passion for the healthcare industry, you can blog about current
trends/technologies, tweet about healthcare reform, and follow
healthcare influencers and biomedical companies on LinkedIn.
The more you share, the more your passion becomes known—
and the more you’ll be associated with your passion. This all helps
when it comes time to finding a job that aligns with your passion
because you can show recruiters how you’ve been advocating for
your industry.
Dr ess For success
Social Media doesn’t replace in-person networking—it just
makes it easier to find the right people with whom to network. It
is extremely important to present yourself well in person, you do
not want your personal brand online communicating a different
message than you do in-person. How do people perceive you? Try
to look at the way you act, speak and dress through the eyes of
those around you. Who are you hanging out with on the weekends?
Did you dress like you wanted to go to class this morning? Part of
building your personal brand lies in the way others will accept that
brand.
Your goal is to create a specific image in an employer’s mind
about your suitability for the position, the company, and the
industry. In order to do this, you must create a targeted message for
your specific audience based on the expectations of your industry.
Each professional industry has its rules. To better understand your
industry, search online for leaders in your career field. What are
they wearing? How do they present themselves online and in social
media? Aspire to be similar to others in your field.
Personal branding helps you make the best impression. When
you use personal branding to formulate your résumé, portfolio,
LinkedIn profile, blog and much more, you are putting your best
foot forward. It’s not too early to think about personal branding. In
fact, the sooner you start your personal branding strategy, the more
robust it will be once you graduate and look for a job.
Written by Kristina Wright, ECS Assistant Director
16 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
What empLoYers seek in stuDent Job appLicants:
the top ten List oF skiLLs You neeD to LanD a Job!
B
usiness, engineering, and computer & information sciences—
these are the top three college majors and degrees employers
hiring managers have reported are being given priority during
this recruiting year. As an engineering student, you can take comfort
in knowing that you’ve selected a degree that’s in demand, but
education isn’t enough to seal the deal on that internship or full-time
position—you must also have employment skills.
The National Association for Colleges and Employers (NACE), a
non-profit organization connecting academic career offices and the
employers who hire their students, conducted an employer survey
in the fall of 2014 find out which skills were of highest priority
when recruiting 2015 graduates for fulltime positions and under-
graduates for internships; those skills are listed below in order of
importance as stated by employers:
1. Ability to work in a team structure
2. Ability to make decisions and solve problems
3. Ability to communicate verbally with people inside and
outside of the company/organization 4. Ability to prioritize, plan, and organize workload
5. Ability to obtain and process information
6. Ability to analyze quantitative data
7. Technical knowledge as it specifically relates to the job
8. Proficiency with computer software programs
9. Ability to create/edit written reports
10. Ability to sell and influence others
As you create or update your résumé, your recruitment success
will greatly depend on your ability to briefly communicate your
skills, knowledge, and abilities as they directly relate to each job to
which you apply. Experience is key, so it is critically important that
you are able to tell a story about the ways in which you have used
these skills, whether on the job, while involved in volunteer work,
or on a class project. Using your I-Link account, you’ll want to be
sure to make an appointment with Engineering Career Services to
have your résumé reviewed as soon as possible prior to the career
fairs season.
Written by Lynnell Lacy, ECS Assistant Director
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http://engineering.illinois.edu/ecs 17
résumé guiDeLines
Length:
margins:
Font:
Font size:
Dates:
sections:
other:
obJective:
personaL proFiLe:
1 page, unless you have significant related work experience or are applying for
academic positions for which you are listing publications, presentations, and other information.
1” recommended.
Select a font that is easy to read. Times New Roman and Arial are most common.
Font sizes should be no smaller than 10 and no larger than 12.
All dates should be in reverse chronological order within any section.
OBJECTIVE should be the first subject; EDUCATION should follow since it is your most recent
accomplishment. EXPERIENCE should be the next subject.
Proofread, Proofread, Proofread.
Laser print on quality résumé paper.
Use spell check and review any words in ALL CAPS, as most spell-check
programs do not check these words for correct spelling.
Avoid using abbreviations, except for standard abbreviations, such as St. (Street),
IL (two-letter abbreviation for states), Jun (3-letter abbreviation for months), etc.
Objectives should target a specific industry or position, be concise, and focus on the employer’s
perspective. Recommended for undergraduates.
Good examples:
Seeking full-time software programming position with leading computer software company
Seeking 2016 summer internship in the research and development department of a major
electronics manufacturing firm
Poor example:
Seeking position that will utilize my computer, teamwork, and analytical skills
Use a Personal Profile that is more descriptive as an alternative to an Objective.
Recommended for graduate students or alumni.
Good example:
• Four years of professional experience in computer science
• Three years of troubleshooting, executed in various programs including C/C++, SQL, JSP, and
JavaScript
• Excellent presentation skills, honed from two years of teaching undergraduate students
18 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
résumé action verbs
The accomplishment statements on your résumé should always begin with an action verb. Utilize this list of action
verbs when devising the content of your résumé. Most of these accomplishment statements are in bulleted format
and should emulate the following formula:
Action verb + accomplishment + results
Example: Analyzed cash flow across three departments and identified $500,000 in savings
technicaL skiLLs
Applied
Assembled
Built
Calculated
Conserved
Constructed
Designed
Determined
Developed
Installed
Maintained
Operated
Programmed
Resolved
Specialized
Upgraded
research skiLLs
Analyzed
Clarified
Collected
Compared
Conducted
Determined
Evaluated
Examined
Extracted
Formulated
Gathered
Identified
Interpreted
Interviewed
Invented
Investigated
Located
Measured
Organized
Researched
Reviewed
Solved
Summarized
Surveyed
Systematized
Tested
organizationaL skiLLs
Approved
Arranged
Catalogued
Categorized
Charted
Classified
Coded
Collected
Compiled
Corresponded
Distributed
Filed
Generated
Implemented
Inspected
Maintained
Monitored
Operated
Prepared
Processed
Provided
Recorded
Reviewed
Scheduled
Sorted
Submitted
Standardized
Systematized
Updated
Validated
Verified
LeaDership skiLLs
Administered
Assigned
Attained
Chaired
Consolidated
Contracted
Coordinated
Delegated
Developed
Directed
Eliminated
Enhanced
Enforced
Established
Evaluated
Executed
Generated
Headed
Hired
Improved
Incorporated
Increased
Inspected
Instituted
Managed
Motivated
Organized
Oversaw
Planned
Presided
Prioritized
Produced
Recommended
Reorganized
Reviewed
Scheduled
Strengthened
Supervised
communication skiLLs
Addressed
Advertised
Arranged
Collaborated
Communicated
Composed
Condensed
Contacted
Convinced
Corresponded
Defined
Directed
Drafted
Edited
Elicited
Explained
Expressed
Formulated
Influenced
Interpreted
Interviewed
Judged
Lectured
Marketed
Mediated
Moderated
Negotiated
Observed
Participated
Persuaded
Presented
Promoted
Publicized
Reconciled
Recruited
Referred
Reported
Resolved
Responded
Spoke
Suggested
Synthesized
Translated
Wrote
FinanciaL skiLLs
Appraised
Audited
Balanced
Calculated
Developed
Estimated
Forecasted
Managed
Planned
Projected
Reconciled
Reduced
Researched
http://engineering.illinois.edu/ecs 19
résumé tempLate
NAME
Street Address • City, State 12345 • (999) 999-9999 • [email protected] • LinkedIn URL (optional)
EDUCATION
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL
Bachelor of Science in ____, (Anticipated) Graduation Date Cumulative GPR: _.__/4.00
Minor in ___
List Certicates or Specializations
RELATED EXPERIENCE
Company or Organization Name City, State
Position Title Month Year – Present
• Action Verb Statement of most relevant or important duties, quantify when possible
• Use additional bullets as needed to best describe your experience
Company or Organization Name City, State
Position Title Month Year – Month Year
• Action Verb Statement of most relevant or important duties, quantify when possible
• Use additional bullets as needed to best describe your experience
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Company or Organization Name City, State
Position Title Month Year – Month Year
• Action Verb Statement of most relevant or important duties, quantify when possible
• Use additional bullets as needed to best describe your experience
SKILLS
Computer Skills: list computer skills
Language Skills: list uency of languages (optional)
Technical Skills: list other technical skills (optional)
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS & ACTIVITIES
Organization Name, Position Title Month Year – Month Year
• Use bullets as needed to best describe your participation and accomplishments
Organization Name, Position Title Month Year – Month Year
• Use bullets as needed to best describe your participation and accomplishments
LEADERSHIP AND HONORS
Honor or Award Semester Year
• Use bullets as needed to best describe your participation and accomplishments
20 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
sampLe Freshmen résumé
Stephen A. Smith
205 E. Illinois St., Champaign, IL 61820 • 312-555-9375 • [email protected]
EDUCATION
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL
Bachelor of Science, Computer Science May 2019
Minor, Business GPA: 3.15/4.00
Buffalo Grove High School Buffalo Grove, IL
College Prep Program May 2015
Class Rank: 8/297 GPA: 4.88/5.00
EXPERIENCE
Web Monkeys Champaign, IL
Team Member August 2015 – Current
• Attend meetings to improve HTML, CSS, and JavaScript skills
• Assist in creating a prototype code for a social commerce website project
• Contribute to student-run projects involving coding elements, innovation, and robotics
Midwest Veterinary Dermatology Center Buffalo Grove, IL
Client Service Representative June 2013-July 2015
• Provided quality customer service while communicating with clients
• Maintained condentiality while ling electronic and paper medical charts
Lorenn’s Hallmark Buffalo Grove, IL
Sales Associate August 2012-January 2014
• Aided in training 4 new associates in register operation and store procedures
LEADERSHIP AND ACTIVITIES
University of Illinois Marching Illini August 2015-Present
Trombone Squad Leader
• Lead squad of 4 marching trombones
• Aided the director and section leaders in attaining perfection in marching and music technique
Illinois Robotics In Space (IRIS) August 2015-Present
Autonomous group member
• Implemented an A* path-nding algorithm to dynamically navigate a lunar terrain
• Interpreted data from Kinect cameras to provide image information to on-board computer
• Collaborated with 10 team members of varying skillset
Buffalo Grove High School Student Outreach Program August 2011-June 2013
Executive Board Ofcer
Relay For Life June 2011-June 2013
Team Captain
HONORS
Presidential Scholar Nominee May 2014
• One of 200 students in Illinois nominated for perfect score on SAT Critical Reading and Math
Go-Green Team 2014
• Organized 5 annual recycling events, 3 clothing drives, and 2 seasonal volunteering events
http://engineering.illinois.edu/ecs 21
current stuDent résumé
SIZHAO (HENRY) YANG U.S. PERMANENT RESIDENT
205 Oregon Street, Champaign, Illinois 61820 • 217-555-7488 • Email: [email protected] • www.linked.com/in/henryyang
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
• Systematic and dynamic problem-solver with the ability to assess various constituent group needs
• Demonstrated ability to execute advanced communication skills in both technical and business domains
• Adept in managing a large number of colleagues and projects in high-prole organizations
• Experienced in object-oriented programming; developing, testing and debugging code
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
Urbana-Champaign, IL
Bachelor of Science, Computer Engineering, May 2016 GPA: 3.5/4.0
Minor: Business
Illinois Leadership Certicate, May 2015
Related Coursework:
Computer Architecture I, II Communication Networks Financial Accounting
Programming Languages & Compilers Database Systems Managerial Statistics
WORK EXPERIENCE
eBay Inc.
San Jose, CA
Intern, Data Center Mission Critical Engineering Summer 2014
• Developed intuitive dashboard to accurately monitor power supply distribution to Data Center to optimize power consumption
and reduce carbon footprint
• Spearheaded cross-functional team for alarm testing team of engineers and vendors to build efcient security and notication system
• Increased efciency 50% by developing, instituting and supporting new test procedures and practices
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
DEF Company Project Fall 2015
• Part of 5 member team on next-generation rollout of robot control software for DEF Company, a technology research company
specializing in robotics
• Analyzed functional requirements, developed code and tested software applications for successful and cost-effective product roll-out
P2P CVS Project Spring 2014
• Effectively worked with a team of 4 to design and create an open source P2P control and collaboration system to improve
current product functionality
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Operating Systems: Unix, Linux, MS Windows
Languages: Java, C, C++, Verilog, HTML, SQL PL/SQL, MIPS
Applications: Dreamweaver MX, Macromedia, MS Ofce, Corel Draw 11, MATLAB
LEADERSHIP and HONORS
2nd Place, Virtual Stock Competition, Society for Business & Management in Engineering, Spring 2015
Association for Computer Machinery (ACM), SIG Soft, Fall 2014 – Present
Asian-Pacic Students Association, Fall 2014-present
Vice President, Fall 2015-present
Implemented online advising resource with intuitive navigation to increase website utilization by students
22 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
gr aDuate résumé tempLate
FIRSTNAME INITIAL (OR SECOND NAME) LASTNAME
Street Address, Apt. XX • City, STATE ZIP CODE • (XXX) XXX-XXXX • [email protected]
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS Urbana-Champaign, IL
Candidate for Master of Science in XXXXX, Month 2016 GPA: X.X/4.0
PREVIOUS GRADUATE INSTITUTION City, STATE (or Country if non-US)
Degree, Major, Month & Year of Graduation GPA: X.X/4.0
Name Academic Honors, if any
UNDERGRADUATE INSTITUTION City, STATE (or Country if non-US)
Degree, Major, Month & Year of Graduation GPA: X.X/4.0
Name Academic Honors, if any
EXPERIENCE
MOST RECENT EMPLOYER NAME City, STATE (or Country if non-US)
Title, Department Dates (month spelled out and year)
• accomplishments in following formula:
• action verb + accomplishment + results (example below)
• Developed a widely used program capable of efficiently updating company inventory
records within Excel
• (maximum of 5 bullet points)
PRIOR EMPLOYER City, STATE (or Country if non-US)
Title, Department Dates (month spelled out and year)
• accomplishments in following formula:
• action verb + accomplishment + results (example below)
• Analyzed labor productivity by comparing company standards and handing out
incentives to high performing laborers, which resulted in increased productivity and
faster completion of assigned tasks
• (maximum of 5 bullet points)
SKILLS
Language: Native speaker of xxxxx, fluent in xxxxx, proficient in xxxxxxx (You may delete if
you have nothing to include)
Technical: C, C++, LabVIEW, MATLAB, ProE, Solidworks, ANSYS, Java, Linux (You may
delete if you have none to include)
ACTIVITIES/LEADERSHIP
involvement + organization name + sponsoring institution + dates (example below)
President, Graduate Student Association, University of Illinois, June 20XX–Present
ADDITIONAL
include professional licenses, certifications, memberships – do NOT include hobbies, interests,
religious or political affiliations. You may delete this section if you have no information to include
sampLe résumé For graDuate stuDents
____(Name)____
*Your Street Address* St., Champaign, IL 61820 • XXX-XXX-XXXX • (your_netid)@illinois.edu
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
• Three years experience designing and testing residential and commercial construction materials
• Three years of 2-D modeling experience
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong leadership and teamwork skills
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS Urbana-Champaign, IL
Master of Science in Civil Engineering, May 2016 GPA: 3.60/4.00
Focus: Structural Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, May 2015
Primary: Structural Engineering Secondary: Construction Materials GPA: 3.41/4.00
Engineer In Training (EIT), Certicate No. 333501 – State of California
WORK EXPERIENCE
TREMONT & ASSOCIATES, INC Chicago, IL
Project Manager Summer 2014
➞ Reviewed nearly 50 subcontractor bids for projects for both residential and commercial projects
➞ Supervised up to 17 subcontractors and part-time employees
➞ Negotiated and won contract bid for $2.2 million commercial property project
➞ Supervised construction of 3 commercial and 4 residential projects
CTL GROUP
Structural Forensic Engineering Intern
➞ Worked with team of 5 professional engineers conducting nondestructive tests
➞ Located PT strands in box girder bridge using impulse radar
➞ Drafted more than 180 masonry walls using AutoCAD software
➞ Scanned corbels and double-T stems with impulse radar at 3 parking structures
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING Urbana, IL
Graduate Research Assistant June 2015 - Present
➞ Estimating response of complex 2-D structural systems under dynamic loads using
“equivalent” SDOF models and statistical PCA
➞ Test brick veneer on shake table and record and analyze results
➞ Perform research involving numerical modeling of building frames and pile foundations under
seismic loads; author journal article and conference publication
➞ Prepare presentations and posters for annual meetings and NSF reviews
HONORS AND AWARDS
Carver Fellowship – Awarded full tuition waiver and $25,000 stipend for academic merit, 2014
Best Graduate Research Presentation Award, Department of Civil Engineering, UIUC, Spring 2013
EIT Award, ASCE California Section – Highest submitted Fundamental of Engineering Exam Score
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP AND ASSOCIATIONS
Structural Engineers Association
American Society of Civil Engineers
Mid-America Earthquake Center Conference Presenter, 2013
Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society
Concrete Canoe Team, First Place
http://engineering.illinois.edu/ecs 23
cover Letter guiDeLines
Cover letters are typically used when you cannot present your experience and qualifications in person, and they are effective tools
when you apply to positions by mail or email. They are not generally required to apply for on-campus interviews through ECS.
is there a cover Letter FormuLa?
There are many styles of cover letters, ranging from the standard conservative business
letter to a riskier grab-the-attention creative approach.
The best advice is to know your audience and adjust your style to match theirs.
opening paragraph
• Capture attention—build a match and express interest in the
company
• State your purpose
• Name the position or department of interest
• Mention source of lead—name of referring person, where you
saw job posting, etc.
• State your top credentials
boDY paragraphs
• Highlight skills and accomplishments relative to those listed in
the actual job posting. Assist the reader to identify your skills
and qualifications
• Identify how skills were obtained
• Demonstrate knowledge of company/industry/functional area
• Use industry keywords to show knowledge
• Use bullets for emphasis
• Use examples
cLosing paragraph
• Thank the reader for his/her consideration and time
• Refer to your enclosed résumé
• Make it easy for the employer to reply
heLpFuL hints
• Always include a cover letter when sending your résumé by mail
or email
• Use the same font and high-quality paper for your cover letter as
for your résumé
• Make the letter one page
• Include the recipient’s inside address with your cover letter
• Use a large envelope to avoid folding the résumé
• Type the recipient and return address on the envelope
• Be brief, concise, and specific
• Keep paragraphs short
• Vary sentence structure and length
• Proofread your letter—have someone else proofread it, too
• Use a natural, conversational tone
• Highlight significant accomplishments relative to the position to
which you are applying
• Target each cover letter to the position you seek
• Market yourself
• Address the letter to a specific person by name and job title
tips For appLYing bY emaiL
Include only ONE attachment containing both your cover letter and résumé. Use the same page header for your cover letter as your
résumé. For the text of your email, keep it short and to the point to lead the reader to open your attachment.
24 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
sampLe cover Letter
EMMA CARTER
205 E. Armory St., Champaign, IL 61820 • 217-390-7000 • [email protected]
February 25, 2016
Mr. Eric Jones
ABC Engineering Company
1010 W. Jefferson St.
Bloomington, IL 61710
Dear Mr. Jones:
I am writing to express my sincere interest in the ______ position your company has posted in the February 20th issue of
Engineering Weekly. I am a senior at the University of Illinois studying _______ engineering and will graduate in May 2016.
I am especially interested in starting my career with your company because ____________.
In addition, I am uniquely qualied for the ____________ position and offer the following skills and experience:
• Two years computer-aided design and drafting experience
• Contract negotiation experience through previous internship with City of Chicago
• Project planning and construction management experience gained through working
on $1.2 million highway expansion project
• Proven teamwork and communication skills earned through classroom projects and
summer work experience programs
Enclosed is my résumé that further highlights my experience and skills. Once you have had the opportunity to review it, I would
like to meet with you to discuss my qualications and how I can add value to your company. I can be reached at (217) 390-7000.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Emma Carter
Emma Carter
If you do not have a specific name
to whom you can address your
letter, use job title reference, such
as “Dear Software Engineering
Hiring Manager”
Your letter should tell
why you specifically
want to work for the
company to which you
are applying
Bullet points
should
correspond
directly to
requirements
listed in job
posting or to
anticipated
requirements
http://engineering.illinois.edu/ecs 25
sampLe cover Letter
CHANG SONG
25 N. Prospect • Champaign, IL 61821 • 217-555-1000 • c[email protected]
September 15, 2015
Plant Superintendent
General Motors Corporation
11 Grease Street
Detroit, Michigan 42051
Subject: Production Supervisor Position
I am currently a senior in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
and will graduate in December 2015. After reading your St. Louis Post Dispatch advertisement
for the Production Supervisor position, I am pleased to submit my qualications in the attached
resume. I am especially interested in joining your company because of my previous experience in
the automotive industry and your company’s reputation as the industry’s top manufacturer.
My experience as an Engineering Intern with Toyota Motor Company enabled me to develop
the effective supervisory and motivational skills you seek in a successful candidate for this
position. I established a functional rapport with organized on-site labor, from superintendents
to trade apprentices. This job demanded accurate problem solving and crystal clear instructive
communication.
In addition, my experience at Chrysler Corporation in Seoul not only provided me with insight into
large-scale production procedures and problems, but also allowed me an overview of production
from the corporate management point of view. As a result, I am aware of the capabilities and the
limitations of a large scale automotive production operation.
The experience I’ve outlined above could prove most benecial in the effective management and
smooth operation of your work force. I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you further
about my experience and interest in the Production Supervisor position and to hearing from you
soon.
Sincerely,
Chang Song
Chang Song
Note the use of the position title in
the absence of a contact name.
26 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
transFer abLe skiLLs
R
ecruiting season is approaching and you’re taking stock of your work experience. You may be
thinking you don’t have much to offer an employer, but you may be pleasantly surprised! Students
often overlook transferable skills—that set of skills that can be used from one job to the next,
and the next, and so on. Take a moment and consider the responsibilities you have held in previous jobs,
volunteer service, or extracurricular activities in which you’ve been involved. Were you involved in sports
or the arts in high school? Were you an editor for your school’s yearbook? Have you created a website or
authored a blog for a student organization in which you were a member? Did you deliver newspapers?
Babysit? Serve as a lifeguard or camp counselor one summer? Maybe you sold hot dogs at a community
fundraiser? Activities such as these armed you with transferable skills.
Transferable skills complement the technical skills you will learn as you work through your academic
journey. Employers sometimes remark that they can teach engineering students the technical skills
needed for job success, but they are all seeking candidates with certain necessary transferable skills.
Transferable skills typically apply to one’s work with people, things, and information.
Consult an ECS Career Adviser for assistance in identifying and communicating the transferable
skills in your toolkit.
Written by Lynnell Lacy, ECS Assistant Director
People
Communicating, Advising, Coaching,
Teaching, Training, Entertaining,
Motivating, Mediating, Delegating,
Organizing, Soliciting, Selling
Things
Assembling Parts, Designing,
Building, Testing, Drafting,
Keyboarding, Maintaining,
Equipment, Sketching,
Constructing, Troubleshooting,
Surveying, Working with CAD
Information
Accounting, Analyzing, Blogging,
Budgeting, Calculating,
Computing, Database Work,
Editing, Filing, Gathering Data,
Researching, Sorting, Writing,
Working with Spreadsheets
ex a mpLe s oF tr a nsFer a bLe sk iLLs
http://engineering.illinois.edu/ecs 27
eLevator pitch essentiaLs
Y
ou’ve just bumped into a successful alumni while attending an
on-campus open house. As you approach him, you open your
mouth, and then pause. Where on earth do you start? Then, as
you try to organize your thoughts, his group arrives, and he’s on his
way. If you’d been better prepared, you would have ensured that he’d
have stayed long enough to meet you.
It’s been said that 80% of success in life is just showing up. But
showing up simply isn’t enough when you’re trying to land a job in
a fiercely competitive market. Rather, you need to go the extra mile
in conveying your desire for the position. You must be in the busi-
ness of selling your skills and expertise to people connected to your
target job. An elevator pitch is just one of the many methods you’ll
use to communicate your personal brand to a potential employer or
recruiter.
Length
You typically have about 30 seconds to explain your value. The
idea is to whet the person’s appetite so they want to continue
talking with you.
content
The elevator pitch is all about demonstrating what you bring to
the table. In short, you want to explain: 1) who you are, 2) what you
are passionate about, and 3) how your strengths will be of value to
a potential employer. Don’t try to say too much, stick to the three
most important traits.
Who are You?
Write down your name, major and related work/project/intern-
ship experience.
Focus on Your motivations: What are You passionate about?
Why are you interested in this type of work? Consider the
different projects and assignments you’ve completed – what
results have you produced? What key skills or experiences make
you good at what you like to do?
hoW Do Your keY strengths bring vaLue to a potentiaL
empLoYer?
Now that you’ve written down what you’re great at doing, it’s
time to elaborate on the results you’ve produced. What accom-
plishments are you proud of? Did you increase revenue, cut costs,
or make things run more efficiently? Try to think in terms of faster,
better or cheaper.
DeLi verY
Write out your pitch to eliminate unnecessary words and any
sense of awkwardness in presentation. Memorize it by heart, but
make it sound conversational and effortless, rather than mechan-
ical. Smile and deliver your speech with warmth, confidence and
enthusiasm. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel.
Fine tu ning
Once you’ve got the basics down, consider how you would
personalize your pitch for unique occasions. You might want to
say things slightly differently to an interviewer than to a former
professor.
It’s also important to remember that the people listening to your
speech will want to know “what’s in this for me?” So be sure to
focus your message on their needs. For example, this introduction:
“I am a software developer with 2 years of experience working for
consumer products companies.” would be more powerful if you
said, “I am a software developer who has had experience in both
the development side and sales side of software. I understand how
to deal with clients and to deliver high quality products on a timely
schedule.”
When to use Your eLevator pitch
• With employer reps at career fair or networking events
• Interacting with alumni (on LinkedIn or in-person)
• With presenters at campus functions
• When talking with faculty
• When interacting with other contacts (friends, social clubs,
teams, etc.)
• At an interview
We ak ex a mpLe
Hi, my name is Ann Kemper. I’m a junior Mechanical
Engineering major. I have had two engineering internships. What
jobs are you hiring for?
better ex a mpLe s
Nice to meet you, I’m Anderson Young. I’m currently a senior
and am studying Computer Science. I hope to become a computer
programmer when I graduate. I’ve had an internship where I
worked on improving several program applications with a project
team and I enjoyed developing computer applications for simple
business solutions. The position you have listed in I-Link seems like
it would be a perfect fit for someone with my skills. I’d like to hear
more about the type of project teams in your organization.
Hi, my name is Emily Woo, and I am a senior Agricultural and
Biological Engineering major. I’m looking for a position that will
allow me to use my research and analysis skills. Over the past few
years, I’ve worked with a local watershed council on conservation
strategies to support water quality and habitats. Eventually, I’d
like to develop management strategies for water conservation. I
read that your organization is involved in water quality projects.
Can you tell me how someone with my experience may fit into your
organization?
Written by Kristina Wright, ECS Assistant Director
28 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Y
ou know there are Career Fairs that happen on campus, but do you really need to go? The answer is a simple YES. Attending the career fair
gives you an opportunity to network with recruiters from multiple companies and allows you to become more than just a name on a page.
Whether you are a freshman attending your first career fair, or a senior who has been to many, here are some tips for success.
Do Your homeWor k
Research the companies attending the career fair via I-Link or EXPO website.
Identify the companies you are most interested in versus trying to “wing it.”
Consider selecting your top 10 employers through I-Link who are attending the fair.
This will notify them of your interest prior to the event.
be pr epar eD
Have your résumé critiqued by an ECS advisor prior to the career fair. Print
multiple copies and be sure to use résumé paper. Download each career fair’s app
and have the information at your fingertips! Consider coming in to ECS for a mock
interview. Some companies offer day-after interviews.
DispLaY a proFessiona L appe ar a nce
Dress professionally (business suit). You only get one chance to make a first
impression. If it is not possible to do so, business casual is acceptable. Be sure
to look your best: clean and neatly pressed clothes, well-groomed hair and nails,
remove piercings, etc. Also be sure to smell your best: fresh breath (but no gum),
avoid smoking before entering the fair, and not too much perfume/cologne.
attituDe a nD pr esentation
Be enthusiastic, cheerful, and confident when you introduce yourself. Make eye
contact. Smile. Use your elevator pitch and provide a firm handshake. Be prepared
to begin the conversation with questions. Don’t start with the top of your employer
target list. Practice your elevator pitch with two or three companies who may not be
in your top 10 first.
Deter min e next steps in the hir ing process
Thank the recruiter for his or her time and ask for a business card or contact info. Ask if they will be hosting an information session,
conducting on-campus interviews, and the procedures for applying, etc. This is important even if you are uninterested or you feel they are
uninterested. You never know when your or their situation may change.
FoLLoW up in a timeLY a nD appropri ate manner
It is important to send a thank-you note after meeting a recruiter, even if it is just a career fair. Remember, they are potentially going to
meet hundreds of students. Every chance you get to remind them of you will work to your advantage. Start building your network of contacts
and consider reaching out to your top employers via LinkedIn reminding them where you recently connected.
Written by Lauren Stites, ECS Senior Assistant Director.
career Fair success str ategies
sampLe Questions to ask recruiters
• What are some of the traits you look for
in recruits?
• What are some qualities the position
demands?
• What is the most important thing
someone entering your field should
know?
• What courses have proven to be most
valuable to you in your work?
• How did you get started with the
company?
• Why do you enjoy your position and/or
working for the company?
• What advice would you give someone
entering this field?
http://engineering.illinois.edu/ecs 29
hoW to prepare For a behavior aL intervieW
O
ne of the first, and most important, steps in securing your
dream career is an interview. This is often the first time a
company has an opportunity to see candidates for more than
what is on a résumé.
There are numerous types of interviews, but preparation is key
to all of them. Currently, one of the most popular interview styles is
the behavioral interview.
The behavioral interview is designed to predict your future
behavior on the job, based on your past behaviors. Interviewers
will ask questions about how you acted or reacted in past job or
academic-related situations. The theory behind behavioral inter-
views is that future behaviors can be predicted by past actions.
As an applicant, the behavioral interview provides the opportu-
nity for you to elaborate on experiences, qualifications and skills. It
also provides a fair and robust process for evaluating all applicants
against the same criteria. Interviewers are looking for responses
that include specific evidence about what you did or your role in
past experiences.
pr epa re in aDvance
Thorough preparation for a behavioral interview is critical
to your success. Make a list of all the experience, skills and
background you have to offer. Jot down your strengths, develop-
ment areas, as well as special talents or interests. Include any
applicable information, such as volunteer activities, clubs, and
athletic organizations. Think about your experiences and achieve-
ments (academic and non-academic) breaking them down into the
qualities you demonstrated. Consider how you managed through
difficult situations and challenges- what did you learn about your-
self, what would you do differently in the future.
Next, research the organization. Find out what the company
does: its history, business structure, major technological advances,
customers, culture and reputation. Ideally, you are already familiar
with the company from campus recruiting events, or from friends or
family. Utilize your contacts to learn as much as possible about the
company before your interview.
Knowing what is involved in the position you are applying for
will help you be more comfortable in the interview. Be sure you
understand the qualifications needed for the role. Make note of
any questions, and save these for the interview. Asking questions
is advisable, and shows your desire to clearly understand the
position.
be a starr pL aY er
Behavioral interviews are based around the STARR model.
Interviewers will ask questions that will help to gather information
about a particular situation, based on the five elements of STARR.
1. Situation: Set-up and describe the situation
2. Task: What was the goal or purpose of the assignment?
3. Action: What was your role and your contribution?
4. Relationships: Who was involved?
5. Result: What was the outcome? How did you make an
impact?
Using the STARR model, and the information gathered during
your preparation, practice answering typical interview questions.
Sample questions are below.
• Please give me an instance of a time when you accom-
plished something that was a goal for you.
• Please provide an example of when you led or worked in a
team, specifically share information about team conflict
and how that was managed.
• Please tell me about a time when you were under great
pressure. How did you cope? What was the outcome?
As you finalize your preparation, you may want to develop
three or four examples which could be used in response to typical
behavioral interview questions. Plan and rehearse your answers.
Memorize your training, skills and experience. Now, you are
ready!
reaDY, set, interv ieW!
During the interview, the interviewer will set the tone and pace
of the interview. You should think carefully about the interview
questions and gather your thoughts before you answer. Frame
each answer using the STARR model. Ensure that your answer
is relevant to the question and provides adequate evidence. Be
enthusiastic about your achievements, and remember to focus on
what YOU have done, not other people. Ask for clarification if you
do not understand a question. Do not be afraid to ask for time to
think. Show confidence, make eye contact and be comfortable.
Most importantly - be yourself.
You will have time to ask questions at the end of the inter-
view. Leave the interview having covered all areas you are unsure
about—training, job locations, when you should expect to hear the
outcome of the interview. Be sure to thank the interviewer or panel
for their time.
After the interview, it’s a good idea to review the interview in
your mind. Consider what you feel went well and what didn’t. What
would you say or do differently the next time? Applying for jobs and
being interviewed are skills that improve with practice, so there is
an opportunity to learn from each interview experience.
Keep a positive outlook, continue to network, and an exciting
opportunity will come your way!
Written by Shell Oil Company
30 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
tips For a behavioraL-baseD intervieW
M
any students tend to prepare for behavioral-based inter-
view questions by doing research on potential questions or
coming up with answers to specific questions. These strate-
gies are not wrong, but they do lack in telling you how to answer
behavioral based questions. Think of preparing as how you should
answer questions, rather than what questions you are going to be
asked.
After finding questions, students may choose to write out and
memorize answers. As a disclaimer, there isn’t too much harm that
can come from “memorizing” an interview answer, however the
caution would be to not memorize answers to the point where your
answers are inflexible and you cannot quickly adapt your answers
to questions that you do not have a memorized answer for. Instead
of memorizing, it is much easier to be confident in knowing the
main idea that you want to get across with each experience. This
is easier because if, for instance, you forget a sentence or two, you
can more easily adapt your answer to focus on the main takeaways
of the experience and not be focused on robotically saying scripted
answers. Here are some ways ECS recommends preparing for
behavioral-based interviews.
1) Learn the STAR(R) method. The purpose of STAR(R) is to
learn how to “tell a/your story” that is detailed, engaging
and that successfully highlights your skills and abilities
• Situation, Task, Action, (Relationships), Result (see
article on page 29).
2) Write out experiences utilizing STAR(R). Each experience
should describe COMPETENCIES. Behavioral Based ques-
tions will ask about one or several core competencies,
such as: Leadership, Problem Solving, Taking Initiative,
Communication Skills, Teamwork, Analytical Skills,
etc. Use STAR(R) write out experiences that highlight when
you have demonstrated these competencies.
Choosing which experiences to talk about
depends on what the question is asking.
Understand which competency the question
is asking about and then discuss a relevant
experience, using STAR(R), for your answer.
3) Schedule a mock interview at ECS! Our Mock interviews
ask behavioral-based questions and will help you to be
more comfortable with using STAR, identifying strong
experiences to highlight, and what types of questions to
ask at the end of the interview.
Answering behavioral interview questions is solely about how
well you articulate that your experiences will provide you with the
necessary competencies. You know your experiences and what you
took away from them better than anyone. The more confident you
are in knowing the STAR(R) of your experiences, the better you will
become at Behavioral Based interviewing. Good luck!!
* There may be some variation to the STAR method. For
example, STARR in article on page 29 adds “Relationships” to the
method.
Written by Jasmine Williams, ECS Graduate Advisor
Watchfire Signs needs new grads and
interns/co-ops in these areas:
EE/EET/ECE
IT/MS/Computer Science
Industrial/Manufacturing Technology
Operations/Quality
Over 11% of our staff began as interns.
Over 35% of positions filled by internal promotions.
Go online for more information:
watchfiresigns.com/careers
No phone calls or walk-ins please
http://engineering.illinois.edu/ecs 33
sampLe behavioraL-baseD intervieW Questions
communic ation
• Tell me about a time when you were able to communicate a technical concept to a non-technical person. What was the concept, what
challenges did you face, how did you relay the information, and what was the outcome?
• Describe your most recent public speaking experience. What was the topic of your presentation? Tell me about the audience? How
did you prepare for the presentation, and what was the outcome?
initiati v e
• Give me an example of a project or activity you have initiated on your own. What happened, and what were the results of your efforts?
• Describe a situation in which you found your results were not what they should have been. What did you do to rectify the matter, or if
you weren’t able to address it then, what would you do differently if you could change things? What was the final outcome?
Le aDership
• Tell me about a new idea, policy, or procedure that you implemented that was considerably different from an existing one. What
approach did you take to gain buy-in from your peers? What was the end result?
• Tell me about your leadership style and describe the most recent situation during which you successfully lead a team to meet or
surpass the team’s stated goal. What steps did you take to achieve success? What challenges did you meet, and how did you over-
come them?
• In detail, describe a time when you were directly responsible for a project that failed.
appLieD inteLLigence
• Describe the most difficult task you have had to learn; how did you overcome the challenge?
• What was the hardest course you have taken at Illinois? What steps did you take to succeed, and what was the outcome?
• Please share an example of something you’ve learned in a course that you were able to directly apply in a real life situation.
probL em soLving
• Tell me about the most complex decision you have made and how you executed it. What was the result?
• Describe a situation when you were responsible for diagnosing and solving a problem, but you were unable to solve it. What
happened, why weren’t you able to resolve it, and what, if anything, could you have done differently to have achieved a successful
outcome?
• Describe a situation when you made a decision and it backfired.
ethics/integr it Y
• Tell me about a time when you had to bend the rules in order to be successful or accomplish a goal.
• Describe a time when you were asked to compromise your integrity. What happened?
• In college, it seems that radical things seem to occur at the last minute. Can you recall a time when you had to copy someone else’s
work to get a grade? What was the result?
• Give me an example of a time when you made a commitment and had very little intention to follow up.
te a mWor k
• Tell me about the most difficult or frustrating person with whom you have worked. How did you handle interactions with this person?
What was the outcome?
• Describe a time when you were on a team and one of the members wasn’t pulling his/her weight.
• What was the last team project on which you worked that you emerged as the team’s leader?
• Describe your role on the team, the overall goal of the team’s efforts, and the outcome.
Written by Lynnell Lacy, ECS Assistant Director
34 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
preparing For Your teLephone intervieW
Questions to ask aFter the intervieW
T
elephone interviews may seem easy, but you should be just as
prepared as if you were going into a face-to-face interview. As
always, prepare with STAR, write out your experiences
using STAR while outlining key competencies, and schedule
a mock interview with us. Even try scheduling a phone mock
interview!
keY things to remember
1. Make sure to be in a quiet environment where you have
good reception. Avoid distractions (i.e. doors slamming,
roommates, pets, etc.). Give yourself enough time to sit
down and wait for the phone call (they will typically call
you, so make sure to have your ringer on loud).
2. Have your résumé out and visible to you so you can glance
at it to remember your experiences. Do not wrestle with
tons of paper (i.e. notes, research about the company,
résumé, etc.) because any audible noises can be heard over
the phone. It is okay to have this information accessible but
making sure you are prepared as if none of those papers
were out is the best option! Slow responses to interview
questions may lead interviewers to think you are unpre-
pared or searching through papers, which wouldn’t be a
good impression. At the end of the phone interview have
well-thought out questions for the interviewer, just as if
you are in person interviewing.
3. Allow your personality to shine! Make sure your energy and
enthusiasm is captured in your tone of voice. Without the
face-to-face interaction, interviewers can only hear your
passion and confidence—they cannot see it, like in a face-
to-face interview. Non-verbal mannerisms aren’t available
to be observed during phone interviews, so keep in mind to
demonstrate with your voice.
Remember: Be confident, speak with passion, give well-articu-
lated answers, and ask great questions! Good luck!
Written by Jasmine Williams, ECS Graduate Advisor
T
he last section of an interview provides candidates an opportunity to ask interviewers questions. This is also an opportunity to showcase your
understanding of the company and the position you are applying to, establish a connection and leave a good impression on the employers.
Asking good, prepared questions will contribute to the success of an interview. The following is a list of sample questions that are appro-
priate to ask at the end of a job interview.
about the orga niz ation
• What makes this company unique and different from its competitors?
• How would you interpret the culture of this company?
• How would you describe the company’s personality and management style?
Dir ection oF orga niz at ion
• What are the company’s long and short-term goals?
• How does company keep up with the industry trends?
• What key factors do you think contribute to the company’s growth?
about the position
• Where does this position fit in the organization?
• What is the basis on which the company will evaluate success in this position?
• What kinds of candidates are you looking for?
• What training would I receive if hired?
• What could I expect would be a challenge for this position?
• How would you describe the person that is more likely to succeed in this position?
• Finally, don’t forget to ask the recruiter what the next steps in the interview process are along with their contact information for
follow up!
Written by Nian Liu, ECS Graduate Advisor
http://engineering.illinois.edu/ecs 35
emaiL etiQuette
E
mail etiquette reflects your image as a job seeker. When
reaching out to recruiters and employers, set the tone of your
messages in a formal and professional manner. Below are some
tips on how to do so.
subJect
Keep the subject of the email short and simple. If you’re submit-
ting an application via email, include the title of the position in the
subject. Avoid using all capital letters because someone could get
the impression you are yelling. This will get your email noticed for
the wrong reasons.
saLutation
When addressing somebody in an email, always present to
them the highest level of courtesy. An example is “Dear Mr.
Jones” or “Good Morning Ms. Adams”. It is best to address people
formally until they indicate you to do differently.
boDY
Make sure the text within the body is black and in a profes-
sional looking font. Avoid using excessive exclamation marks !!!,
excessive question marks ??, or emoticons . Maintain proper
capitalization, sentence structure, spelling, grammar, and format-
ting throughout your email.
signature
Start with a closing sign off. Some examples include “Regards”,
“Sincerely”, or “Best”. Following this should be your email signa-
ture, which should be no longer than five lines. Some items you can
include are your name, university, major, job, student organization,
contact information, or website.
Less is more
Keep your overall message concise and to the point. If you find
your message is getting quite lengthy, you are probably better off
calling to seek clarification and to get your questions answered.
think beFore cLicking senD
Did you proofread your message? Are you sending it to the right
recipient? Did you accidentally click “Reply All” when you weren’t
supposed to? Did you include all content you wanted to cover?
These are all good questions to keep in mind before sending your
email.
thank-You Lett er
Dear Ms. Richards
Thank you for taking time to meet with me regarding the Software
Developer internship at XYZ Company. I am very enthusiastic about
this position as it will provide me the opportunity to enhance my
development skills in Java, while also introduce me to development
on the mobile platform. I also enjoyed learning about your company’s
monthly volunteering events. Over the years, I have volunteered my
time to multiple nonprofit organizations, and I am excited for the
possibility to do the same this summer for XYZ Company.
If there is any additional information I can provide you, please do not
hesitate to contact me. Thank you again and I look forward to hearing
from you soon.
Regards,
Kevin Dunbar
Send a simple thank-you letter to your interviewer within 24 hours of the interview. Thank the
interviewer for their time and reiterate your interest in the position/company. To keep your email
from sounding generic, highlight specific topics that were discussed during the interview. This can
also be an opportunity to highlight any qualifications you didn’t think you accurately displayed. Here
is a sample thank-you note:
36 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
accept ing a Job oFFer
DecLin ing a Job oFFer
Dear Mr. Jackson,
Thank you for selecting me as a candidate for the Structural Engineer
position at XYZ Company. I am pleased to inform you that I am
accepting this position and excited for my start date. Thank you again
for the opportunity, I am eager to make a positive contribution to the
organization. Please let me know if there is any additional information
or paperwork you need.
Best,
Jenny Park
Dear Mr. Franklin
I appreciate you and your team taking the time to meet with me to
discuss the opportunity for employment within the Research and
Development Team. After careful thought and consideration, I decided
to accept another position in a different field. I truly enjoyed meeting
with everyone at XYZ Company and learning about your experiences.
Best wishes and continued success.
Sincerely,
Mike Reynolds
First, congratulations on receiving the job offer! Make sure to read the offer thoroughly so that
you understand all aspects of your offer. Be sure to ask any questions you have and, if applicable,
negotiate any terms of the contract you feel are necessary. If you accept your offer verbally, write a
brief follow up email formally accepting the position. Here is an example email:
You might find that you have multiple offers you are deciding between...great! Make sure you
evaluate all offers carefully before making a final decision. Maintain professionalism so you do not
hinder any chances of working with the employer(s) you are declining in the future. Here is a sample
email:
emaiL etiQuette con t i n u e d
Written by Nadya Sims, ECS Graduate Advisor
http://engineering.illinois.edu/ecs 37
Don’t sLurp Your soup anD
other proFessionaL etiQuette tips
G
ood manners and dining etiquette are essential indicators of
how truly professional you are. More importantly, how you
conduct yourself at the dining table gives potential employers a
sense of how you will handle their business and your relationship.
First impr essions
You only have a few seconds to make a first impression in
most situations. Since there’s no rewind button to undo a false
start, don’t blow this opportunity to cement the image you want to
leave in the minds of each person you meet. How you greet people
reveals a great deal about you—your confidence, your attitude,
your polish.
• Always stand to greet someone, especially if you have not
met them before.
• Maintain an open posture when shaking hands, smile,
make eye contact, and say your first and last name and
something basic about yourself that relates to the context
of the meeting.
• Handshakes should be firm, and last for about two to five
seconds.
• Address someone by his or her title and last name, unless
you have permission to use his or her first name.
tabLe set tings a nD gener a L tips
• Utensils are arranged in the order a person will use them,
thus you will work your way from the outside in when
dining.
• To keep track of which bread plate or water glass is yours,
remember the acronym: BMW: Bread (left) Meal (center)
and Water (right).
• When you first sit down for the meal, wait for the host/
hostess to place his or her napkin on their lap before you
do the same. The napkin should be folded discreetly and
placed on your lap with the fold towards you. The napkin
will remain in your lap for the rest of the meal.
• Once you pick up a piece of silverware, it should never
touch the table again. During the meal utensils should be
resting on the plate.
• Use a knife and fork to cut only one piece of food at a time.
• Soup should be consumed by dipping your soup spoon away
from yourself and then filling the spoon with soup. Avoid
slurping your soup.
Ordering: When ordering food, the key is to follow the lead of the
host/hostess. Foods that are easily eaten with a fork and knife
are great meal options, so stick with the basics like chicken, fish,
salads, and soups. Foods that require a little more precision when
eating, like corn on the cob or spaghetti, should be avoided.
Eating: You may begin eating when the host/hostess picks up their
utensils or when the host/hostess announces to everyone to begin
dining. You may have sips of your water before the meal is served,
but refrain from reaching for the bread bowl until your host/hostess
does so.
• When passing shared foods, remember to serve others
before serving yourself. Take the service plate and offer the
food to the person on your left, then take some for yourself
and pass the food to the person on your right.
• It is often considered rude and disrespectful to season your
food before tasting it.
• The salt and pepper should be passed together, even if only
asked for one.
• Always put butter on your bread plate rather than directly
on your roll. Break, don’t cut the bread, and then butter one
bite-sized piece at a time. Never butter a whole slice of
bread at once, or slice a roll in half and butter it.
• Consume small bites of food and never speak with your
mouth full. If a question is asked of you mid-bite, take a
moment to chew and swallow your food while thinking
about your answer.
Ending the Meal: The placement of your utensils is the one and
only step you need to do to let others know you are finished eating.
Simply place your fork and knife diagonally across your plate at the
ten and four o’clock positions with the handles at the four o’clock
position. Face the blade side of the knife towards you as well.
Place your napkin to the left of your plate.
Who Pays?: At most interviews or business meetings, you will
be a guest and should not offer to pay since the company or host/
hostess will do so. To be on the safe, do make sure to bring money
along in case you are in a situation where need to pay the bill or
leave a tip. Remember to thank your host/hostess at the end of the
meal.
Written by Kristina Wright, ECS Assistant Director
mish aps During Dining
• If your napkin happens to slip off your lap, discreetly
grab it without making a big fuss. If you drop your
utensil on the floor, subtly get the server’s attention
and ask for another utensil.
• If you do need to leave during a meal, make sure to
do so properly. Simply say “Excuse me” and leave the
table. An explanation is not needed. Place your napkin
in your chair with it loosely folded, not wadded up.
38 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
tips to remember During the site visit/intervieW
C
ongratulations! You have made it to a very crucial step in
the interviewing process. Every opportunity for an interview,
whether it is a screening interview, a face-to-face interview, or
a site visit interview, is important. Regardless of the type of interview,
you should always be prepared. Particularly if you receive an on-site
interview, this indicates you are a very strong candidate. Sometimes
employers will try to arrange visits for several candidates to take
place at the same time, so your availability should be flexible. There
are several tips to consider before stepping foot on employer territory.
See below.
• Ask the employer about the proper attire and wear comfort-
able business shoes. If it’s an onsite visit and you have
already accepted the offer, generally business casual
is appropriate. But, if this site visit is an interview, then
complete business attire is the most fitting for the situa-
tion. Do not assume that an on-site interview is a guarantee
for a job offer. It must be said that even if you are not being
formally interviewed with questions during a site visit,
informally you are still being observed and interviewed for
fit, for instance with the culture of the organization (do you
fit in with everyone else in the office, do you share similar
values, work ethic, etc.).
• Take extra updated copies of your résumé for the inter-
view. If your agenda calls for you to meet various people
in the department, take résumés and be prepared to give a
context of your background. Sometimes the employees you
meet with do not have your information on file, especially if
the interaction is just a “meet and greet”.
• Observe how employees behave and communicate. Take
note of the physical environment. Generate questions to
ask from your observations.
• Make sure to get contact information from those indi-
viduals you meet. Within 24 hours of leaving the site visit,
send thank-you emails to those whom you met—inter-
viewers, recruiters and company representatives, etc.
• Do not be late. Get a good night’s sleep. Make sure to set
alarms in order to make it meetings/interviews on time. Be
aware of time zones when setting alarms also.
An onsite interview is just as much an interview for the
company to see what you are all about as well for you to identify
whether the company is a good fit for you. Take advantage of the
opportunity to ask questions. Lastly, be confident about your expe-
riences and abilities, and give employers a realistic preview of your
worth to the company by showing how professional, intelligent,
and passionate you are!
Written by Jasmine Williams, ECS Graduate Advisor
http://engineering.illinois.edu/ecs 39
hoW shouLD i negotiate?
best practices in negotiating:
• Do your research, know your value.
• Ask questions—Understanding what the company wants
and values will help you negotiate more effectively.
• Negotiate in person or over the phone, avoid email
negotiations.
• Negotiate more than just salary—the more variables
negotiated, the higher likelihood that you and the
employer will reach an agreement both are satisfied with.
negot iation Facts
According to a CareerBuilder survey:
• Over 49% of workers do not negotiate their initial
offer because of fear or lack of skill.
• Men (54 percent) are more likely than women (49
percent) to negotiate first offers.
• Not every hiring manager will be able to raise
the offer, but it’s never a bad idea to negotiate—
especially if you have experience and possess
in-demand, technical skills.
• Never negotiate unless you are willing to commit
to the position. Don’t mislead companies.
Wh Y Don’t peopLe negoti ate?
mYths a nD Fe ars
• Fear of losing the job—Most employers expect to
negotiate, so asking to negotiate is unlikely to cost
you the offer.
• Fear of conflict and emotion—Conflict is an
inherent part of human interaction, overcoming this
fear will benefit you throughout your career.
• Fear of employer’s superior power—Contrary to
popular belief, once the employer has made you the
initial offer the balance of power has shifted in your
favor.
• Fear of negotiating poorly—Practice! Schedule an
appointment with ECS to discuss your negotiation
strategy.
hoW Do i initiate negotiations?
• Find out if negotiation is even an option.
• Ask the crucial question: “What, if any, parts of this
offer are negotiable?”
• Be prepared for the question: “What did you have in
mind?”
WhY is negotiation so important?
It’s important to understand that your starting compensation
package has many long-term consequences. All future raises and
promotions are likely to be affected by the initial package, as well
as potentially new job opportunities with other companies. Making
sure that you and your new employer come to an arrangement that
both are satisfied with is extremely important!
negotiating the Job oFFer
T
To keep from missing out on potential base salary bumps, evaluate job offers and work
out a package that benefits everyone. About 45% of employers are willing to nego-
tiate on salary, according to a 2013 survey by CareerBuilder. But nearly half of all U.S.
workers accept the first salary offer they’re offered. Do your research on salaries and know
your worth for your level of experience.
knoW Your rights
• If you receive an offer this fall, the university’s
offer deadline is Dec. 1st or three weeks after the
date on your offer, whichever is later. This dead-
line applies to first offers only.
• If you receive a full-time offer from a company
that you interned at, the university deadline is
Oct. 1st or three weeks after the date on your
offer, whichever is later.
• If you receive an offer in the spring the deadline
is April 1st or three weeks after the offer date,
whichever is later.
Remember that reneging is unprofessional and impacts the
relationship between Illinois and the employer. Choosing to
go back on your accepted offer will disqualify you from using
I-Link and other ECS services.
40 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
What Does Your sociaL meDia proFiLe
saY about You?
I
f you’re a current college student or a recent college graduate, it’s pretty safe to assume you’ve had a social media presence since you entered
high school, if not earlier. Chances are you’ve built up a long online history that’s publicly visible and not necessarily appropriate for the
professional world. A recent Jobvite social recruiting survey found that “86 percent of HR professionals and recruiters admitted to reviewing
candidates’ social network profiles” and “70 percent turned down a candidate based on something they found out about them online.” If you’re not
carefully controlling your online brand, you could be unknowingly hurting your chances of landing that dream job. Here are tips for cleaning up your
online presence and building the right professional brand.
Don’t shoWc ase Your soci a L acti v itie s
Recruiters understand that people have social lives, but it’s not ok to portray excessive drinking, drug use or any other illegal activities on
your public profiles. Everything you put online stays out there somewhere, and anyone can see it. You’ll want to take care to setup
your privacy settings on your social media accounts so that only your friends can see your profile and status updates. Don’t forget to check out
photos that you have been tagged in. Delete tags if photos are unfavorable. Adjust your settings so that anyone who tags you in a picture has
to ask for permission first.
be WarY oF What You saY (a nD others too)
Potentially offensive comments, snarky responses, discriminatory remarks or criticisms against current or former employers may come
back to haunt you. Be extra careful, and don’t post anything that you don’t want a prospective employer (or your mom!) to read. Some
employers may view extreme religious or political expressions and tactless humor as red flags. What you may think is funny may sound
obnoxious to others. Be wary of retweeting or sharing posts you haven’t actually read. Sharing a poorly written or error-ridden article—or
simply one that misrepresents your actual views—puts you in an unflattering light.
painting a n inaccur ate seLF-portr a it
Read your story as shared on your timelines. When the tweets and sentences are strung together, who have you revealed yourself to be?
Your life on the Internet has a theme. Make sure that your public information is balanced. If your story is punctuated by frequent parties,
personal woes or is too self-focused, that will be how casual observers (and potential employers) will know you.
poor gr a mm ar a nD speLLing
Many unfortunate communication errors can be blamed on autocorrect, but we do have veto power over our phone’s word choices. The
bottom line is grammatical and spelling mistakes make you look bad. So do your best to avoid them.
Do buiLD Your br anD
Don’t forget that your social media profile can also help you build yourself up. Maintain an updated profile on LinkedIn. It’s the first place
many employers go to check you out, and if you don’t have a LinkedIn profile it likely sends the message that you’re not current. Use a profes-
sional-looking photo for any social media account associated with your professional brand and job search. Make sure your status updates
depict your enthusiasm and involvement in your career pursuits. Share your accomplishments, articles you’ve written, and presentations.
FoLLoW compa nies th at You Want to Work For
Following companies that you want to work with is a very good way to stay in tune with the job market and stay visible to that employer.
Use social media to show your knowledge in your field and expand your network. Demonstrate that you have your finger on the pulse and
you’re passionate about the industry.
se arch Your seLF
It’s smart to search links to your name from time to time. You can (and should) Google, Bing and Yahoo yourself. Knowing what employers
will find when they search for you will help you explain it during the interview.
not getting in the ga me
Some people are so afraid of damaging social media mistakes that they avoid the whole scene altogether. But that can be costly too, as
social networks have become prime recruiting territory. Therefore, skirting potential issues via non-involvement removes you from too many
opportunities to make that a smart option for most.
Written by Kristina Wright, ECS Assistant Director
http://engineering.illinois.edu/ecs 41
creating a stanDout LinkeDin proFiLe
S
ocial media is a key factor in the job search process today and
many job experts say that having a LinkedIn profile is crucial for
college students. Not only will a polished LinkedIn profile help
you stand out among the crowds of applicants, but it will allow you to
showcase your talents and interests. The more robust your profile,
the more you will get noticed!
12 tips For creating Your LinkeDin proFiLe
1. A good LinkedIn profile should have a good headline:
Your headline should be strategic, so take time to write a
title that reflects what you want to do. Think about what
employers and recruiters will be searching for and use those
words in your headline. You might have a headline such as
“University of Illinois Computer Science Intern”.
2. Be Wordy: Don’t be lazy—fill out your profile completely.
LinkedIn says your profile will appear 40 times more in search
results if it is “complete.” This means that you will be avail-
able for 40 times more opportunities if you do this. If you are
not sure what a strong profile looks like, find professionals in
your field and look at how they share their information.
3. Choose a Great Photo: LinkedIn studies have recently
shown that a profile with a photo has 11 times more prob-
ability of being viewed than one without a photo. You will
want to select a high-quality photo that projects a friendly
and professional image, not one that portrays a robust social
life. Avoid using group shots. If you are not sure what to
wear, take a look at what people in your target industry are
wearing.
4. Use Summary Space Wisely: Make a good first impres-
sion with a strong, but personalized summary. Your
summary should be three to five paragraphs long and it
should walk the reader through your key skills, unique quali-
fications, and work/internship experiences. You should also
include a bulleted section that describes the benefits that
you can provide to a prospective employer.
5. Beyond Words: Numbers are powerful. When possible
include numbers to demonstrate your competencies within
your summary. For example, “After implementing a new
recruiting process, I increased membership in XYZ by 43%.”
6. Be Tech-Savvy: LinkedIn offers a feature that allows you
to add certain types of multimedia content to your profile
such as videos, websites, blog articles or an online port-
folio. Instead of just talking about your experiences, show
examples.
7. Add Extracurricular Experiences, Volunteer Work,
Projects and Courses: Have a certification? Volunteer
at Habitat for Humanity? Adding these additional profile
features is a great way to showcase your personality and
unique experiences. Employers often see volunteer experi-
ence as just as valuable as paid work.
8. Showcase your Achievements: In the Skills & Experience
section you can build a list of all the skills, strengths and
competencies that you possess. You’ll want to include
at least 10-15 entries in this section since this is a key
role in the LinkedIn search algorithm. An entry-level
intern, for example, could cite skills in time management,
teamwork, project management, statistical analysis, and
communication.
9. Update Your Status: You can update your status as often
as you like. Your network will see your updates, so use this
opportunity to bring your name to the forefront. Use your
status line to announce projects you are doing related to
your field. Share interesting articles or news. Connect with
leaders in your industry.
10. Personalize Your URL: LinkedIn allows you to personalize
your URL, so snap up your name if you are able to! You can
include this URL in your email signature and on your résumé.
11. Join In: Groups are a way to build relationships and network
with people who have similar interests. Join as many
relevant groups as you can and contribute to the conversa-
tion. You can start by joining alumni groups and professional
organizations for your industry.
12. Gain credibility with references: If you know people
who would recommend your work, so ask them to do so on
LinkedIn. The best approach is to ask in person or to write a
personal email sincerely expressing what their recommenda-
tion would mean to you.
Written by Kristina Wright, ECS Assistant Director
42 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
utiLizing LinkeDin For
career anD internship pLanning
O
nce you have a complete, professional looking LinkedIn profile,
you can use it as a tool to assist in your career and internship
planning. Below are some ideas how.
Link eDin.com/Jobs
A good place to start your search is to visit LinkedIn.com/Jobs.
By clicking the advanced search option at the top, it will allow you
to search for opportunities by keywords, company, title, location,
industry, experience level, etc. Find a search you like? Save the
search and you can receive email updates when a new position in
your search becomes available. There are also some positions you
can apply to simply by submitting your LinkedIn profile.
net Wor k With aLumn i
By viewing the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign group
(or any other university), it makes it really simple to network with
alumni. You can see where they live, where they work, what they
do, what they studied, what they’re skilled at, and how you are
connected. This is helpful for students who are not only looking for a
job or internship opportunities, but those who are trying to pick their
major or decide on a graduate program. Alumni are generally willing
to take some time to give current students further information and
answer questions. Log into LinkedIn.com and search for University of
Illinois alumni.
senD messages
Send messages to first or second connections in your network
who are in professions or work at companies you are interested in.
Let them know you are searching for a new position and request an
informational interview. This allows you to see if their profession or
company would be a good fit for you. You can also utilize messages
after applying to positions. Typically the recruiter’s name is listed on
the job posting, so you can send them a message to ask for feedback
on your application.
interv ieWs
In addition to researching the company to prepare for an
interview, it is a good idea to check out the LinkedIn profile of the
people you’re meeting. This can be applied in both informational
and formal interviews. Take initiative to gather more information
on the interviewer’s background and interests. This will show
you’ve completed further research and are interested in not only
the organization, but the people working in it.
Written by Nadya Sims, ECS Graduate Advisor
http://engineering.illinois.edu/ecs 43
top 5 Job search tips For internationaL stuDents
W
hether you are searching for a position in the U.S., in your
home country, or elsewhere, it is important to be familiar
with recruiting practices of the country.
Here at Illinois, the busiest recruiting takes place in the fall
semester. Although some employers recruit for summer interns
in the spring semester, others begin looking for candidates in the
fall. Additionally, if you plan to seek full-time employment after
graduation, having an internship in your sophomore or junior year is
almost a prerequisite. In other words, obtaining a full-time position
in the U.S. requires early engagement with employers. Here are
five suggestions to get you started:
tip #1: gr a Des matter, but get out oF
the cL assroom
Employers repeatedly tell us that they look at more than a
student’s GPA when screening applicants. While most posi-
tions ask for a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (some positions
require a higher minimum), employers also look for non-technical
skills. According to the Job Outlook 2015 report by the National
Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers look for
the following attributes on a student’s résumé:
• Leadership (77.8% of respondents)
• Ability to work in a team (77.8%)
• Communication skills (73.4%)
• Problem-solving skills (70.9%)
• Strong work ethic (70.4%)
To build these skills, it is necessary to get out of the class-
room and participate (not just attend meetings) in extracurricular
activities. You can join a professional student organization that is
affiliated with your major, be active in a social or cultural group,
or volunteer for a local community organization. You should also
take the brave step of meeting people from different cultural back-
grounds, not just from your own home country.
Each department hosts at least one student chapter of a profes-
sional national organization associated with your major. For
instance, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
hosts around 28 student organizations. If your primary area is
construction management, you should strongly consider becoming
involved in the Construction Management Association of America
(CMAA). Through this organization, you have access to various
professional resources from the national chapter, including their
national conferences, which is a great way to network with poten-
tial employers.
Explore the different student organizations affiliated with your
department and get involved in their projects!
tip #2: unDersta nD What Your ta rget
empLoY er s Want
In the Job Outlook 2015 report by NACE, employers were asked
to rate the importance of a candidate’s skills and qualities. The top
five results are as follows:
• Ability to work in a team structure (4.61 out of 5.00)
• Ability to make decisions and solve problems (4.61)
• Ability to verbally communicate with persons inside and
outside the organization (4.60)
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work (4.59)
• Ability to obtain and process information (4.57)
Once again, employers want to see that you have demonstrated
these skills and qualities beyond academic work.
Aside from the skills mentioned above, it is also important
to develop an understanding of your target employers’ business
needs. Some questions to consider when familiarizing yourself
with an employer:
• What products and/or services does your target employer
manufacture/sell/provide?
• In what direction is the company heading? Is it planning to
sell off particular divisions to specialize in certain areas or
are they looking to expand and acquire new subsidiaries?
• Where does the company generate the majority of its
revenue and profits—is it in the U.S. or another region
outside the U.S.? Is the source of revenue and profits
changing? If so, where is the new source of revenue and
profits?
• What is the organizational culture of your target company?
What kind of people do best in the company’s environment?
What kind of talent does the company seek—in terms of
both technical and non-technical skills?
While you can gather some of this information from websites,
a better way is to get in front of recruiters during information
sessions and tech talks that are taking place on campus. If a
student organization, your department or Engineering Career
Services is offering a company visit or job shadow, sign up for
those opportunities and learn about the company for yourself first-
hand. Use these events as opportunities to make a face-to-face
connection with employers.
tip #3: knoW a nD spea k Your br a nD
Do you remember the question, “What do you want to be when
you grow up?” This question is still relevant in your job search.
When speaking to employers, be able to share the reasons for
choosing the major that you’re in, be willing to talk about your
professional goals and the industries that you are interested in.
How does a particular position align with your long-term career
path?
Most importantly, you’ll need to begin identifying how your
skills meet the needs of your target employers. Once you develop
that list of skills, highlight them in your résumé. Demonstrate your
skills through out-of-class projects and extracurricular activities.
Use LinkedIn, Weebly or GitHub to visually showcase the work
that you have done. Finally, write up an elevator pitch and practice
delivering your pitch in a casual, conversational tone.
44 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
top 5 Job search tips For
internationaL stuDents con t i n u e d
tip #4: ta Lk to peopLe
Submitting applications to online job boards or company
websites is convenient, but is not an effective way to secure
positions. Making in-person connections and developing an under-
standing of a company’s needs is much more effective. In a 2014
study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and MIT, candi-
dates who are referred to a position and who interview were found
to be 40% more likely to get hired than candidates who merely
submit applications online.
To make actual connections with individuals within your target
companies, make use of events, such as company information
sessions, company-led career development workshops, tech talks,
department seminars, talks by visiting alumni, company visits,
job shadow programs, externships, case competitions, and other
professional networking events.
Another tool that is often underutilized is informational
interviews. Informational interviews are conversations you have
with individuals where you seek to learn more about a particular
industry or company. The purpose of an informational interview is
NOT to ask for a job, but is meant to help you build the resources
for your own career path. (To learn more about information inter-
views, please see page 45.)
tip #5: Don’t Limit YourseLF to the
u.s. Job mar k et
Each year, the U.S. federal government allocates 65,000 H1B
visas for the hire of temporary foreign talent, plus an additional
20,000 for Master’s and Doctoral degrees. Over the last few years,
this quota has been met within the first week of applications being
accepted. With over 800,000 international students in the U.S.
each year, some employers face a challenge to secure H1B visas
for foreign talent. Consequently, many employers are not willing to
risk hiring international students for fear of not getting a return on
their investment, where they have trained a new hire only to have
them not be approved for the H1B visa.
Besides visa quotas, some companies are limited to hiring only
U.S. citizens because these companies receive funding from the
federal government and/or are involved in security-related proj-
ects. That said, the percentage of employer indicating that they
are willing to hire international students has grown from 18.8% in
2010 to 34.2% in 2015 (NACE Job Outlook 2015).
Another trend we have been observing is an increasing number
of U.S. companies who are growing their operations in Asia. As a
result of this business need, these companies are looking for talent
who can serve as a bridge between the U.S. and Asia. In addition
to technical skills, these employers are looking for candidates with
proficiency in both English as well as an Asian language (most
commonly Mandarin). These companies also want students who
have familiarity with U.S. and Asian cultures. As a result, these
companies are looking to recruit international students studying in
the U.S. for home country placements. Some of these companies
seek to groom such new talent into future managerial roles within
companies. If you take a long-term view of your career, this is an
excellent option to accelerate your career path.
Whether you choose to remain in the U.S. or work overseas or
in your home country, it is important to be proactive and utilize the
resources available to you here on campus and in the College.
a Wor D a bout Wor k au thor iz at ion in
the u.s.
If you are on an F1 Student Visa, you have two options for work
authorization in the U.S.:
• If you are still a student, you can apply for Curricular
Practical Training (CPT). Find out more information here:
http://isss.illinois.edu/students/employment/f1cpt.html.
CPT requires an offer of employment before application.
• If you are planning to work after graduation, you will need
to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Find out
more information here: http://isss.illinois.edu/students/
employment/f1opt.html. As an Engineering student, you
could be eligible for the STEM extension, which permits
you to stay in the U.S. for an additional 17 months: http://
isss.illinois.edu/students/employment/f1_optext.html.
NOTE: Having work authorization does not automatically qualify
you to be employed by a company in the U.S. Companies may still
not be able to hire students who are not U.S. Citizens or Permanent
Residents.
Written by Jerome Ng, Former ECS Assistant Director
http://engineering.illinois.edu/ecs 45
mastering the hiDDen Job market
through netWorking
T
he simple fact is that most people looking for a job go about it in
completely the wrong way. Many students fill their day blasting
résumé in response to online job postings. Sure, you might be
qualified for the positions for which you are applying—but posting
your resume online is like trying to find a needle in a haystack—a
really, really big haystack. This classic mistake prevents you from
finding prime job opportunities. Frustrating as it may be, as many as
80% of positions are not advertised instead they’re typically part of
the hidden job market—those millions of openings that never get
formally posted. For those job openings that are advertised online,
hiring managers may get hundreds of applicants. It’s very time
consuming to sort through hundreds of resumes to find one or two
candidates who might be suitable for an opening. Given the choice,
most employers prefer to fill positions without advertising. It saves
money and time.
str ategies For uncov er ing
hiDDen Job Lea Ds
In jobseeking, there is an old adage: “it’s not what you know,
it’s who you know.” It goes without saying that Networking
should be an integral part of any job search. Just about all of us
network every day, throughout the day—by chatting with fellow
students, updating our Twitter or Facebook status, talking with
co-workers at a job—it’s just that most of us don’t think of it as
networking. Networking is simply about building and maintaining
mutually beneficial relationships with the people around us.
The more people we know—and the more people we know are
connected with—the more powerful our network.
DeveLoping Your netWork:
Begin by brainstorming as many potential contacts as possible.
Your initial networking list may come from a variety of sources:
• Personal contacts: family, friends, classmates, acquain-
tances, organizations, church groups
• Work contacts: co-workers, supervisors
• Educational contacts: professors, advisors, coaches, alumni
networks
• Parent’s contacts: colleagues, friends, employers, doctor,
dentist, lawyer, accountant, banker, insurance agent,
realtor
Then think of ways in which you can naturally build or increase
your network of contacts:
• Volunteering
• Job shadowing
• Joining a club, organization, or professional association
• Informational interviewing
net Wor king opportun itie s
Once you’ve identified and started to build your network, it’s
time to cultivate those relationships. One of the best ways to do
this is to conduct informational interviews with professionals in
your field of interest.
Informational Interviews: To arrange an informational interview,
you’ll begin by reaching out to contacts by email. In your email,
you will provide a brief introduction to your background and inter-
ests, attach your resume, and request a time to meet with them to
discuss your questions. Make it clear that you are looking for infor-
mation and advice, not a job. You will be surprised by how many
people are willing to help a student!
In preparing for each informational interview, develop a list of
questions that you could not have answered on your own. A few
good examples may be: What are the largest challenges currently
facing organizations like yours? What do you find to be the most
and least enjoyable aspects of your work? Can you describe a
typical workday?
Additionally, remember that these meetings are also an
opportunity for others to get to know you. Make sure that you can
confidentially discuss your resume and experiences. Don’t be
afraid to ask for names of other professionals whom you might
want to interview to help you in your job search. Afterwards, send
a thank-you note to express your appreciation for the help. Make
sure to check back with your contact from time to time to advise
them of your status.
Networking is simply about building and
maintaining mutually beneficial
relationships with the people around us.
Don’t be afraid to ask for names of other
professionals whom you might want to
interview to help you in your job search.
46 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
mastering the hiDDen Job market
through netWorking con t i n u e d
On-Campus Events: Another easily accessible way to expand
your contact list is to attend on-campus networking events, alumni
panels and job fairs. Careers events provide the dual opportunity
of uncovering information about specific industries and employers
while allowing you to be in contact with those who may have
the power to give you a job. Before attending a career event,
remember to do the following:
• Create a solid elevator pitch.
• Prepare a list of thoughtful open-ended questions.
• Prepare copies of your resume.
Recruiters and company representatives attend careers
events to meet students, so don’t be shy about approaching
them. But do it politely. It’s almost always better to establish a
personal rapport before asking for concrete career assistance
at these programs. Be patient as you cultivate a personal
connection with recruiters, company representatives and
alumni. Look for a common basis like a shared interest, college
sport, club or faculty contact. Asking them about the most
rewarding aspects of their college experience can help move
things along. If you really hit it off with someone, you might
ask if you could meet with them for coffee or shadow them at
work.
Follow up after the event with contacts that you make. Send an
email, thank them for any specific advice and include a reminder of
who you are by sharing your LinkedIn page. Your follow up commu-
nication is another opportunity to take things a step further by
inquiring if you might do an informational interview or job shadow.
Fina L thoughts on net Working
• Be specific about what you need.
• Be organized and keep good records.
• Don’t pass up a time to network-it can happen anywhere!
• Follow up with others in a timely fashion.
• Thank those who have helped you along the way.
• Continue to network after you have found a job.
• Return the favor and be helpful to others.
Written by Kristina Wright, ECS Assistant Director
http://engineering.illinois.edu/ecs 47
WhY research experience matters For
graDuate stuDY anD Your career
R
esearch tests more than your academic acumen. It tests your
ability to contribute as a member of a team and how you
respond to unexpected challenges. It demands your utmost
integrity and asks you to think outside the box. And in many cases, it
asks you to derive results that you can explain to colleagues in your
field and to laypersons who care about the societal implications of
your research.
Here’s why you should seek out research experiences at UIUC
and other top institutions—graduate schools and employers want
students and employees with those skills!
a must For gr aDuate stuDents
Research experience is required in most fields to apply directly
from a Bachelor’s program to a PhD program. Faculty members
want to know that you understand basic lab and research protocol
and that you can immediately become a contributing member of
their team. Research experience is also linked with funding in the
form of graduate and research assistantships. Students who are
not able to gain undergraduate research experience may wish to
pursue a one- or two-year Master’s program to gain experience as
a researcher.
Summer undergraduate research is a popular and highly
effective way to explore research in your sophomore, junior, and
senior years of college (sometimes even in your freshman year).
Summer research generally lasts between six and ten weeks
and, in many cases, summer researchers receive payment in the
form of stipends and sometimes receive compensation for travel
and living expenses. Moreover, students who are productive and
engaged participants in a summer research program often leave
their summer appointments with a strong letter of recommendation
for graduate school. Other benefits of summer research include:
exploring a school you may wish to attend for graduate study,
attending professional development workshops, meeting students
and faculty from across the U.S., and exploring another area of the
country.
but gooD For ca r eer-seek er s, too
Ok, so graduate schools clearly care about research experi-
ence… but why should you do research if you are interested in
getting a job after college? Students are always encouraged to
do an internship/co-op and a research experience during college
their sophomore and junior years to help discern which path makes
sense for them individually. Internships and research put academic
learning into action and this is exactly what employers want to
see. And, when you do garner that coveted interview at your Spring
Career Fair, you will have an experience to talk about that which
sets you apart from your fellow students with purely academic
experience.
Deadlines for most summer research opportunities have closed
for 2015. Do your research and get a jump start for next year!
heLpFuL resources:
• National Science Foundation (NSF) - https://www.nsf.gov/
crssprgm/reu
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) - https://www.training.
nih.gov/programs/sip
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences -
niehs.nih.gov/careers/research/summers
• National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) - neh.gov/
grants/research/summer-stipends
• Pathways to Science - pathwaystoscience.org/
undergrads
.aspx
• UIUC Summer Research - grad.illinois.edu/eep/srop
keY terminoLogY:
• REU - Research Experience for Undergraduates
• SURP - Summer Undergraduate Research Experience
Written by Cris Murray, Director of Graduate Admissions at
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
48 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
6 tips to convert a summer internship
into a FuLL-time position
I
nterns are often the first people companies consider hiring for their full-time, entry-level positions. Below are some general
guidelines to follow to make sure you can be considered for these opportunities during your internship or once it is completed.
obeY the ruLes
This might seem obvious, but it is important to reiterate the basics. Maintain professional and appropriate clothing,
be early rather than on time, and be respectful of every single person in the organization. Make the most out of your
downtime. It’s best not to use free time to text message or visit your favorite website; use it to find other projects
or shadow somebody.
set goa Ls
Meet with your manager to share your goals of what you want to accomplish and what skills you want to gain by
the end of your internship. Make sure you set both short- and long-term goals and try your best to meet these dead-
lines. Share these goals with other people in the organization so they can help hold you accountable.
ask Questions
If something isn’t clear about an assignment, just ask questions. Seek clarification if you don’t understand what
your responsibility is. Questions will show you are engaged in the conversation. This is a much superior approach
than to complete the assignment incorrectly and have to start all over.
attenD compa nY ev ents
If the firm has any, consider joining one of their sports team. For example, joining the summer volleyball team
would be a great opportunity to get to know people outside of the office setting. Not into playing sports? Ask if
people from the office go to watch the games and join them if they do. If not, then participate in other company
wide events. This is a good way to meet people outside of your department, which can be beneficial if your depart-
ment isn’t hiring full-time employees but other departments are.
seek FeeDback
If you are receiving feedback for the first time during your mid-summer performance review, then that is too late.
Even if your direct manager doesn’t give you feedback, ask for it from them as well as other managers, interns, or
leaders frequently. They will be impressed that you’re taking initiative to seek ways to improve your performance
and productivity.
Dev eLop reL ationships
Get to know not only the other interns you’re working with, but also the full-time employees. Remember to build
relationships with managers and senior leadership as well. You’ll learn more about the company this way and it
is likely these people can provide you a valuable recommendation for any internal or external opportunities in the
future.
Written by Nadya Sims, ECS Graduate Advisor
http://engineering.illinois.edu/ecs 49
Engineering Open House (EOH) showcases accomplishments in engineering to the public. Thousands of
visitors, mostly from the Midwest, attend the two-day, student-run event. EOH is a great forum for teaching a
broad variety of audiences how engineering affects their lives. URL: http://eoh.ec.illinois.edu
engineer ing open house
opportunities to get invoLveD at iLLinois
engineer ing counciL
Engineering Council (EC) is the students’ voice in the College of Engineering and is designed to serve the
needs of the engineering community. EC consists of an executive board that oversees 13 committees and over
50 student organizations. URL: http://www.ec.illinois.edu
otcr consuLting
OTCR Consulting is an entirely student-run consulting firm comprised of top students primarily from the
College of Engineering and College of Business. OTCR has service offerings in Business Strategy, Technology
Strategy, and Technology Implementation, and serves clients as large as Fortune 500 corporations to startups.
Students interested in developing business leadership skills in an accelerated environment can find more
information at www.otcr.illinois.edu
iLLinois business consuLting
IBC conducts 40-50 business consulting projects each year for established organizations of varying sizes—
small businesses to Fortune 500; for-profit and not-for-profit. This experience offers students the opportunity to
build problem-solving, project management and client management skills that can be leveraged in their career
of choice. URL: http://www.ibc.illinois.edu
iLLinois Le aDer ship certiFicate
This is a structured program designed to provide students with experience and growth in leadership. The
program is grounded in the Illinois Philosophy of Leadership which states, “All students can exercise
leadership.” As a university student, you are a leader. The certificate program will make you a more effective
leader. URL: http://www.illinoisleadership.illinois.edu
inter nationa L progr a ms in engineer ing
Various opportunities are available, such as: Study Abroad, Work Abroad, Service Abroad, Graduate Research
Fellowship and the Warren Yee Program. URL: https://wiki.engr.illinois.edu/display/ipeng/Home
Job sh aDoW progr a m
Freshmen, sophomores and juniors gain insight into their career interests by participating in a job shadow
experience. Students are matched with business professionals, preferably alumni, for a one-day, relevant work
experience. URL: http://engineering.illinois.edu/corporations/job-shadow-program
cuvoLunteer
This site is dedicated to helping volunteer organizations and residents of the Champaign-Urbana area connect.
URL: http://cuvolunteer.org
50 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
starting Your career? thinking smaLL is okaY.
T
o be explicit, by “thinking small” we’re referring to career oppor-
tunities at start-ups and small businesses. In our respective
capacities as technology development executive for a start-up
commercializing technology developed at the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign; and career services director for the College of
Engineering, also at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,
we have had many discussions with science and engineering students
and young professionals weighing career options at start-ups and
small businesses. The overwhelming sentiment expressed in these
discussions is that of concern that starting one’s career at a start-up
company or a small business was a detour from a more established
and better understood climb up the traditional corporate ladder.
In an attempt to provide these students and young profes-
sionals with a broader set of perspectives we hope would
help them make better decisions about their careers, we
interviewed 11 entrepreneurs and start-up employees with
technical backgrounds in the Champaign-Urbana area, many of
whom boasted experiences at more established firms as well.
We have summarized what we learned from these discussions
into seven actionable steps that can be taken upon starting
a career at a start-up or small business to ensure thoughtful
career development while preserving options even as career
interests are expected to change.
unDer sta nD Your goaL s
The first insight from our interviews is the importance of
understanding your goals and motivations for considering a
career at start-up or small business. Careers are marathons
not sprints. While your interests and goals will change over
time, when considering a career opportunity at a start-up or
small business, take the time to understand exactly what role
you hope the opportunity will play in the bigger picture of your
career plans.
For some, it’s the excitement of the opportunity of getting
in on the ground floor and building something, or the finan-
cial rewards that could come as a result of an exit event. For
others, it might be that opportunities at larger, more estab-
lished companies weren’t readily available and the start-up
provides an opportunity to gain experience that could be lever-
aged into a role at a bigger company later.
Whatever your motivations, be honest with yourself so you
can ensure that these goals are attended to during your tenure
at the start-up or small business. The start-up employees we
interviewed generally agreed that there is more flexibility at a
start-up to shape the role you perform at the organization. Take
advantage of it.
Design Your iDe aL apprent ice ship
With a good understanding of your goals and motivations,
start-ups and small businesses present an opportunity to take
advantage of the flexibility discussed above in designing the
ideal apprenticeship. Many of the start-up and small business
employees we interviewed felt that they could define roles for
themselves at their current companies that are the equivalent
or perfect stepping stones to desired roles at more established
companies.
Start-up employees typically have much broader and more
significant responsibilities at their companies than their
counterparts at larger companies. As a result, their accom-
plishments (and yes, their failures) tend to be more visible. If
by designing the ideal apprenticeship, they can demonstrate
capabilities required in a similar role at a more established
company, they become much more attractive candidates for
those roles. As an example of this point, we know of two
former employees of start-ups in the Champaign-Urbana area
who were able to use their senior technical roles with these
start-ups as springboards to opportunities at Facebook and
Foursquare.
Lev er age exposur e a nD access to
per sonneL a nD Fu nctions
It takes a broad range of functions to turn an idea into a
growing start-up. Examples of these functions include the
founder or inventor with the original idea or technology, angel
investors and venture capitalists who invest in the start-up
and the founding operating team such as the CEO, and Vice
Presidents of Technology, Marketing or Business Development.
Because of the size of early stage start-ups and small busi-
nesses, employees at what would be referred to as entry level
at more established organizations have access to the people
in these various functions and interact with them more closely
and regularly than is typical at more established firms.
Understanding how these functions intersect in the orga-
nization and your role in the organizational structure (both
explicit and tacit) is essential in being effective and is a great
way to become aware of other career interests in a way that is
difficult in a larger organization where such access to such a
range of functions may be limited for a scientist or engineer in
the earlier stages of their career.
Le ar n to Le aD a nD manage
Most people find very early in their careers that leader-
ship and management skills are essential to accomplishing
just about anything as part of a team. Since by necessity
most start-up and small business employees are given more
responsibilities earlier in their careers, than their counterparts
working at larger organizations, they are in a position to learn
to lead and manage effectively.
The start-up and small business employees we interviewed
thought that the flat and less bureaucratic organizational
structures of most start-ups or small businesses can provide
useful opportunities for employees to observe the strengths
and weaknesses of the leaders of the organization from a
closer range, while developing their own leadership styles and
identities. In other words, these employees have more oppor-
tunities to learn by doing.
http://engineering.illinois.edu/ecs 51
starting Your career? thinking smaLL is okaY.
con t in u e d
A good example of the potential impact of starting a career
at a start-up or small business is Marissa Mayer. Mayer joined
Google in 1999 at the company’s 20th employee and 13 years
later left to become the CEO of Yahoo at age 37. While Mayer
is obviously very talented, such a rapid rise would have been
less likely if she were joining Google today. Google today is
much larger and by necessity, more bureaucratic. As such, the
company likely offers fewer opportunities for a 24-year-old
joining the company today to grow as rapidly as a manager and
leader.
become a n innovator
Few career opportunities position you better to learn how
to become an innovator than start-up and small businesses.
Because these types of companies typically lack the resources
of more established firms, they have to move quicker and be
more creative to compete. They have to be more innovative
survive. Start-ups and small businesses provide students and
young professionals in engineering and science disciplines the
opportunity to develop leadership, management, communica-
tion and other functional competencies such as in finance and
marketing in a fast pace environment in which innovation is
essential.
The development of these additional competencies
combined with their technical backgrounds and their experi-
ence working on solving cutting edge problems at a start-up
or small business helps these employees develop and hone
their individual innovation philosophies and processes. Armed
with these highly developed instincts for innovation these
employees are uniquely equipped to facilitate innovation
processes at other organizations both large and small.
FiLL in knoW LeDge ga ps
Many of the start-up and small business employees we
interviewed cited lack of domain expertise as one of the costs
of career opportunities at start-ups and small businesses. As
a newly hired Principal Scientist at an advanced materials
start-up, you probably have really deep domain expertise in
a particular area of materials science, perhaps related to the
core technology of your new company.
Before taking on this role, as a graduate student, you prob-
ably provided material to your university’s patent counsel
for a provisional patent application. So you know a bit about
drafting a patent application, but perhaps not much about
the valuation of intellectual property, deciding on a patent or
trade secret as the vehicle of protection of new technology or
developing a strategy for international filings based on your
company’s target markets.
You will learn what you need to learn to do your job and in
the process, you’ll become a good generalist. Good generalists
are valuable to any business. However, taking the time to dig
one level deeper, fill in the gaps and connect the dots into your
own personal best practice guidelines for each function your
role touches is a good idea. It will either give you a more solid
foundation in a specific area should you find yourself in a more
specialized role later in your career or make you a more effec-
tive generalist by giving you more expertise to draw on when
needed.
boL ster ex per ience With cr eDenti aLs
Depending on what your long term career goals are, you
might need to take the idea of filling in knowledge gaps one
step further to acquire credentials that are considered impor-
tant for your field and targeted career path. If you prefer to
maintain a purely technical role for the rest of your career,
then in many cases you can contribute significantly to a diverse
group of organizations without worrying about additional
credentials as long as you’ve attained the level of education
that is standard for your desired position and industry.
However, if your goal is to at the very least give yourself the
option of taking career paths that lead to technical manage-
ment, product management or even general management as
your career progresses, considering what credentials are most
relevant such a path is important. As a start-up or small busi-
ness employee you’ll have more opportunities to interface
with others in a variety of roles supporting your company’s
value chain. Talk to these people about the roles they play,
their educational backgrounds and additional training they’ve
received.
If you would like to transition from bench scientist to
technical management or project management, then perhaps
pursuing a project management certification might be valu-
able. If you’d like options to move into general management at
some point, then an M.B.A. might be useful.
Regardless of what path you find most appealing, the
important point is that by working at a start-up you have more
access to help you decide what combination of experiences
and credentials would most efficiently put you on the path
towards achieving your career goals.
Written by Gerald O. Wilson, Professor, and Sarah M. Zehr,
Director, Office of Corporate Relations
52 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
http://engineering.illinois.edu/ecs 53
1871
3M
4 Catalyser
A.T. Kearney
Abbott Laboratories
AbbVie (See Ad on Page 47)
Accenture
Adatao, Inc.
Adobe Systems
AECOM
Aerospace Corporation
Affiliated Engineers, Inc.
AIG
AirPR
Airwatch by Vmware
Akuna Capital
Alcatel-Lucent
Aldridge Electric, Inc.
Alfred Benesch & Company
Algo-Logic Systems
Allstate Insurance Company
AlphaWorks Capital Management, LLC
Amazon.com
AMEC (AMEC AES)
Ameren
American Structurepoint, Inc.
American Transmission Company
Americaneagle.com
Amtrak
Amway
Analog Devices, Inc.
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Answers Corporation
AppDynamics
Apple, Inc.
Applied Pavement Technology, Inc.
Apropose, Inc.
Aqueous
ARA, Inc.
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)
(See Ad on Page 57)
ARCO National Construction Company, Inc
ARM, Inc.
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
Artisan Scientific Corporation
Asahi Kasei Bioprocess
AT&T
ATK
Atwell, LLC
Autodesk, Inc.
AutoScout, Inc.
Aux Sable Liquid Products
AvantCredit
Avencore
B/E Aerospace
Bacon|Farmer|Workman Engineering &
Testing, Inc.
Baidu USA
Baker Engineering & Risk Consultants, Inc.
Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Barnhart Crane & Rigging
Baxter & Woodman
Bazaarvoice
Belcan Engineering
Blend Labs
Blinderman Construction Company, Inc.
Bloomberg
Blue Jeans
BNSF Railway Company
Boeing
The Boldt Company
BookedOut
Bosch
Bowman, Barrett & Associates Inc.
Box
Box.net
BP Corporation
Brady Corporation
Brinkmann Constructors
bswift
Burke Group
Burns & McDonnell
Butler America
C N A
C3 Energy
Capital One
Cardinal Capital Management, LLC
CareFusion
Carollo Engineers
Caterpillar Inc.
CB&I
CDM Smith
Ceco Concrete Construction, LLC
Central Intelligence Agency
Cerner Corporation
CH2M Hill
The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
Charmworks
Chevron
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
Chicago Trading Company
Cirrus Logic, Inc.
Cisco Meraki
Cisco Systems
Citadel, LLC (See Ad on Page 57)
Civiltech Engineering, Inc.
Civis Analytics
Clarity Solution Group
Clark Construction Group, LLC
Clark Dietz, Inc.
Clayco, Inc.
CleanAir Engineering
CLEO Communications
Cleversafe, Inc.
The Climate Corporation
Cloudera
CME Group
CN Railroad
CNA Insurance Companies
CNH America LLC
CNH Industrial
The Coca-Cola Company
Codagami, Inc.
Cognizant Technology Solutions
Coilcraft, Inc.
CommScope
Company, Inc.
Connelly Electric
Consolidated Electrical Distributors, Inc.
Consulting Engineering Group
Continental Automotive Systems
Continuuity
Conversant
CoorsTek, Inc.
Cord
Cornelius
Cotter Consulting, Inc.
Country Financial
Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc.
Cray Inc.
Creative Werks LLC
Crowe Horwath LLP
Crown Cork & Seal USA, Inc.
CSG International
CTL Group
Cummins, Inc.
Daimler Northeast Asia Ltd.
Dart Container
Dashiell Corporation
Data Color
Deere & Company
Deloitte
Delphix
D’Escoto, Inc.
companies recruiting through ecs*
*Partial List
54 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Deublin Company
Dextro Software Systems
DIRECTV
DMC, Inc.
Domo Inc.
Dover Corporation
Dropbox
DRW Trading Group
Dunn Solutions Group
Dwyer Instruments, Inc.
E. D. Etnyre & Co.
Eaton Corporation
EBCO Inc.
Echelon Consulting LLC
Ecolab, Inc.
Elemental Technologies, Inc.
EMC
Emerson
EN Engineering
Enercon Engineering
Engineering Systems Inc.
Enova Financial
Environmental Systems Design
Epic
Ernst and Young, LLP
ESRI
Etherios, LLC
Evonik Industries (See Ad on Page 5)
ExactTarget
Exegy, Incorporated
Exelon Corporation
EXP U.S. Services
Expedia, Inc.
ExxonMobil
F.H. Paschen, S.N. Nielsen
Facebook
Farmlogs
Farnsworth Group Inc.
Fast Enterprises
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Fidessa
Flint Hills Resources
FMC Technologies (Energy Systems)
Ford Motor Company (See Ad on Page 59)
Foxconn Interconnect Technology (FIT)
Foxconn Technologies
Freedman Seating Company
Freescale
Fresenius Kabi
The FSB Companies
FTI Consulting
Fullerton Engineering Consultants
G&W Electric Company (See Ad on Page 13)
GAF
Gallagher Asphalt Corporation
GameChanger Media
Gardner Denver, Inc.
Garmin International
GCM Grosvenor
GEICO
Geneca
General Dynamics Electric Boat
General Electric - GE
General Mills
Gigster
GoDaddy
Goldman Sachs
Goodwin and Marshall, Inc.
Google, Inc.
Grain Processing Corporation
Grantek Systems Integration
Grayhill, Inc.
Greater Chicago
Greeley and Hansen LLC
Greenlee: A Textron Company
Groupon Inc.
GrubHub
The GSI Group
Halliburton
Hanley, Flight & Zimmerman, LLC
Hanson Professional Services Inc.
Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company
Hayward Baker Inc.
Hazen and Sawyer
HBK Capital Management
HBK Engineering, LLC
HBM, Inc (Hottinger Baldwin Measurements)
Hearsay Social
Hedvig Inc.
Here, a Nokia Business
Hewlett-Packard Co.
HNTB Corporation
Honeywell
Honeywell FM&T
Honeywell UOP
Horizon Hobby
Hormel Foods Corporation
HR Green, Inc.
Huron Consulting Group
Hydraforce, Inc.
Hyla Soft USA
IBM
IDEAL Industries
iLink Resources
Illinois Applied Research Institute
(See Ad on Back Cover)
Illinois Department of Transportation
Illinois EPA
IMC Financial Markets
Impro Industries USA, Inc.
Indeed.com
InDepth Engineering Solutions, LLC
Indigo Biosystems
Infinera
Informatica
Infosys Ltd.
Infosys Public Service
Ingersoll-Rand
Ingredion
Integrys Energy Group, Inc.
Intel Corporation
Intentional Software
Interlake Material Handling, Inc.
Interlake Mecalux, Inc.
Invention Mine LLC
Jacobs
Jet Aviation
John Burns Construction Co.
John Deere
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson Controls
JPMorgan Chase
Jump Trading
Jump Trading Simulation and Education Center
Juno Lighting Group (See Ad on Page 11)
Jut, Inc.
KCG (See Ad on Page 58)
kCura Corporation
The Kenrich Group LLC
Kersner & Co.
Kiewit
Kiewit and Hoffman
Kiewit Infrastructure Co.
Kimberly-Clark
Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
KJWW Engineering Consultants
KLA-Tencor
Knight Partners LLC
Koch Industries
Kohl’s Department Stores
Korte Company
KPFF Consulting Engineers, Inc.
companies recruiting through ecs* con t in u e d
*Partial List
http://engineering.illinois.edu/ecs 55
KPMG LLP
Kraft Foods Group
LACSD: Los Angeles County Sanitation
Districts
Lam Research Corporation
Langan Engineering and Environmental
Services, Inc.
Larson Engineering, Inc. (See Ad on Page 32)
Layne Christensen Company
LCN Closers
The Lee Company
Leidos Engineering LLC (See on Inside Back
Cover)
Lend Lease
Levi, Ray & Shoup, Inc.
Lextech Global Services
LGS Innovations
Liaison Technologies
Liferay, Inc.
Lightspeed Venture Partners
LinkedIn
Littelfuse, Inc.
Load Delivered Logistics, LLC
Los Angeles County Sanitation District
Luxottica
LyondellBasell
M.C. Dean, Inc.
Mabuchi Motor Co. Ltd.
Magnitude Capital, LLC
Magnusson Klemencic Associates
Manhard Consulting
Manhattan Associates
MapR Technologies
Massman Construction Co.
MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc.
MathWorks (See Ad on Page 60)
Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
MBX Systems
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
McClure Engineering Associates, Inc.
McShane Construction Company
Medallia, Inc.
MediaMath
Medline Industries, Inc.
Metanautix
MGA Research Corporation
Michael Baker International
Michelin North America
Michels Corporation
Microsoft Corporation
Milhouse Engineering & Construction Inc.
(See Ad on Page 58)
Milliman, Inc
Milyli
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
The MITRE Corporation
Modine Manufacturing
Molex Inc.
Monsanto
Morningstar, Inc.
Mortenson Construction
Motorola
Motorola Mobility
Motorola Solutions
MSA Professional Services, Inc.
Mu Sigma, Inc.
Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers
Nalco, an Ecolab Company
Nanosatisfi
Narrative Science (See Ad on Page 46)
NASA Glenn Research Center
National Instruments
Natural Resource Technology, Inc.
NavAir (Naval Air Warfare Center)
Navistar
Neustar
Nexteer Automotive
Nexxt Spine LLC
NIBCO Inc.
Norcon, Inc.
Norfolk Southern
North Carolina State
Northern Trust Company
Northwestern Mutual
NRC: Nuclear Regulatory Commission
NTN Bearing Corporation of America
Nucor Building Systems
Nucor Corporation
Nutanix
Oak Ridge Associated Universities
Oculus VR
OMEGA & Associates, Inc.
OpenTable
Optiver US, LLC (See Ad on Page 42)
Orbital ATK
Orbitz Worldwide
Palantir Technologies, Inc.
Parker Hannifin Corporation
Parsons Corporation
Path Construction Company
Patrick Engineering Inc.
Pavlov Media
PDT Partners, LLC
PEAK6 Investments, L.P.
Penn State University
PepsiCo
Perry & Associates, LLC
Phi Optics
Phillips 66
PinnacleAIS
Plote Construction, Inc.
Power Solutions International, Inc.
PR3 Systems
Praxair, Inc.
Precision Castparts Corp.
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Procter and Gamble
Procured Health
Produce Pro Software
Provisur Technologies
Pure Michigan Talent Connect
(See Ad on Page 1)
Pure Storage
Qualcomm
Quicket Solutions
Quora
RailWorks
Raths, Raths & Johnson, Inc.
Raw Thrills, Inc.
Raytheon Company
Red Bay, Inc.
Redfin
RedMane Technology LLC
Redwood Logistics
RelateIQ
Research Park at the University of Illinois
RetailMeNot, Inc.
Reyes Group Ltd
Ricardo, Inc.
Rithmio
Rithmiu, Inc.
Riverbed Technology, Inc.
Robert Silman Associates PLLC
Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Collins
Rolls-Royce
Roux Associates, Inc.
S&C Electric Company
S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
Sachs Electric Company
companies recruiting through ecs* con t in u e d
*Partial List
56 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Sage Corps
Saint-Gobain
Sam Schwartz Engineering
Samsung
Samsung Austin R&D Center (SARC)
Samsung Research America (SRA)
Sandia National Laboratories
SapientNitro
Sargent & Lundy
Schlumberger Technology Corp.
Schnabel Foundation Company
Schneider Electric
Scot Forge
Sears Holding Co.
SEECO Consultants, Inc.
Services
SGT, Inc.
Shannon & Wilson, Inc.
Shell Oil Company (See Ad on Inside Front
Cover)
ShowingTime
Shure Incorporated
Siemens Corporation
Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc.
Sift Science
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, Inc.
(See Ad on Page 59)
Skender Construction, LLC
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM)
Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
Snapchat
Social Market Analytics
Solstice Mobile
SOM
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Southwest Research Institute
Spot Trading L.L.C.
Springleaf Financial Services
Sprout Social
SPX Cooling Technologies
SPX Corporation
Stalworth Underground
Stantec
State Farm Insurance
SteelBrick
Strand Associates
Stratigent
SunCoke Energy
Sunrise Futures
Symplicity Corporation
Synchrony Financial
Syska Hennessy Group
T.Y. Lin International
Tableau Software
Takata
Tarlton Corporation
Tastebud Technologies, Inc.
Tata Consultancy Services
Techmer PM
Tek-Matic, Inc.
Texas Instruments
Textron
Textura Corporation
TGRWA, LLC
ThinkB1G
Thomas Engineering, Inc.
Thomson Reuters
Thornton Tomasetti, Inc.
TigerText
The Timken Company
Tishman Construction Company
TKDA
TMC Transportation
TranSystems Corporation
Trinity Consultants
Tripadvisor
Trotter and Associates
Truepad
TruQua Enterprises, LLC
TTX Company
Tubular Labs
Turn Inc.
Turner Construction Company
Twitch LLC
Twitter, Inc.
Two Sigma Investments
U. S. Air Force
U. S. Marine Corps
U. S. Navy
U. S. Postal Service (USPS)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Rock Island
U.S. Navy
Uber
Uber Technologies
Union Pacific Railroad
United Airlines
United States Postal Service (USPS)
Uptake
UTC Aerospace Systems
V3 Companies Ltd.
Vactor Mfg. Inc.
Vail Systems Inc.
Valdes Engineering Company
Valkyrie Trading, LLC
VanGogh Imaging
Vector Construction
Veeva Systems Inc.
Veolia Environment North America
Veriflow Systems
ViaSat, Inc.
Visa
Vistaprint
VMware, Inc.
Vodori Inc.
W.E. O’Neil Construction Co.
W.W. Grainger, Inc.
Walker Parking Consultants
Wal-Mart, Inc.
The Walsh Group
Watlow
Wayfair
West Monroe Partners
Whirlpool Corporation
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Wight & Company
Wiss Janney Elstner Associates Inc.
Wolfram Research (See Ad on Page 57)
Wolverine Trading LLC
World Kitchen
WorldQuant, LLC (See Ad on Page 38)
W-T Engineering, Inc.
XSELL Technologies
Xylem Inc.
Yahoo! Hadoop
Yahoo! Inc.
Yaskawa America
Yaskawa Electric America
Yelp!
YU & Associates, Inc.
companies recruiting through ecs* con t in u e d
*Partial List
60 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
AbbVie .............................................47
ADM
...............................................57
Ciholas, Inc. .........................................58
Citadel
.............................................57
Evonik Industries
.......................................5
Ford Motor Company
...................................59
G&W
...............................................13
Hudson River Trading
..................................31
Illinois Applied Research Institute
.................Back Cover
Juno Lighting Group
...................................11
KCG
................................................58
Larson Engineering
....................................32
Leidos ..................................Inside Back Cover
MathWorks
..........................................60
Milhouse Engineering & Construction, Inc. .................58
Narrative Science
.....................................46
Northwestern University School of Law
....................12
Optiver
.............................................42
Pure Michigan Talent Connect
............................1
Shell
...................................Inside Front Cover
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc. ..........................59
U.S. Army Health Professions Scholarship Program ...........16
USA.gov ............................................58
voestalpine Nortrak
...................................60
Watchfire Signs
......................................32
Wolfram
............................................57
WorldQuant
.........................................38
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